Ismail Sabri: Almost 2,000 people arrested trying to sneak into Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA: Close to 2,000 people have been arrested for attempting to sneak into the country between May 1 and Sunday (July 12), says Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said that during this period, 1,494 illegal immigrants, 249 tekong (boat captains) and 110 human traffickers were arrested, adding that 50 vessels and 191 vehicles of various types were seized during Op Benteng.

“Continuous efforts by the authorities including the police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Border Control Agency will ensure that any attempt to smuggle people into Malaysia will be stopped, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, ” he said.

On Sunday, the police set up 65 Op Benteng roadblocks nationwide and checked 40,255 vehicles for human smuggling activities.

On Malaysians returning from overseas, Ismail Sabri said that the authorities recorded 793 arrivals via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and KLIA2.

He added that they arrived from Qatar, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Myanmar, India, Laos, China, Philippines, as well as from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

“Six individuals who were found to be Covid-19 positive were sent to the hospital for treatment while the remaining 787 were ordered to observe the 14-day mandatory quarantine at home, ” he said in his regular briefing here Monday (July 13).

He added that 139 Malaysians had entered the country via the Causeway, Second Link as well as Pasir Gudang port and ferry terminal on July 12 and all were ordered to undergo home quarantine.