Full immigration check at Labuan Airport from May 2

LABUAN: From May 2, those travelling to and from the duty-free-island here via the Labuan Airport will be subjected to a full immigration check.

The first-ever implementation of the immigration check at the airport is aimed at enhancing and strengthening security at the airport's entry and exit points.

Labuan immigration director Ahmad Ali said the implementation of the immigration check was in line with the government's effort to preserve national sovereignty.

He said that since 2014, more than 300 cases under the Immigration Act, Passport Act and National Registration Department Act had been committed at the Labuan Airport.

"Despite implementation of (100 per cent) immigration checks at the Labuan Airport, the free flow of travellers to the island will not be jeopardised," he said at a press conference on Thursday.

According to Ahmad, Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli highlighted the need to monitor the inflow and outflow of travellers via the airport in previous Parliament sessions.

He said in 2014, the immigration office was opened at the airport following an impassioned call by the MP which led to random checks being conducted on travellers.

"However, following a number of arrests involving those who travelled via Labuan Airport, we applied for a full immigration check of domestic travellers at the airport, which has been approved," he added.

Ahmad said the immigration check on travellers via Labuan Airport had not been conducted since December 2009, in line with the Immigration (Exemption) Order for the Sabah and Sarawak sector (Free Flow). - Bernama