NRD Deputy Director-General (Operations) Mohd Yazid Ramli said the suspects, aged between 24 and 61, comprised 12 men and six women.
They were detained at two residential areas, Jalan Panggung Wayang, Masai, and Taman Seri Suria, Bandar Seri Alam.
“They claimed to be from Sandakan, Sabah, but after checking, we found they were from Zamboanga and Basilan, southern Philippines, and are from the Tausug (Suluk) ethnic group,” he said in a statement here Friday.
He added the suspects claimed they obtained the cards from an agent in Sandakan, Sabah, and paid between RM300 and RM2,500.
The 18 suspects were investigated under Regulation 25(1)(e) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007) and can be jailed for up to three years or fined up to RM20,000, or both, if convicted.
– BERNAMA