Illegal swims across Sungai Melaka but fails to flee Immigration officers

MELAKA: An illegal immigrant dove into and swam across Sungai Melaka in a bid to flee Immigration officers during a raid at Kampung Morten here.

Melaka Immigration director Anirwan Fauzee Mohd Aini said the Indonesian man, in his 20s, was arrested as soon he reached the opposite side of the river bank during the operation at 2pm on Thursday (Jan 4).

"The suspect was peddling food at a roadside stall at the tourist destination of Kampung Morten," he said.

Anirwan Fauzee said the raid was conducted following a tip-off that illegal immigrants were turning into food hawkers at the tourist spots here.

He said 70 foreigners were screened during the operation and 36 of them were detained.

Those apprehended, he said, were between the ages of 25 to 40 years old and had no proper travel documents and work permits.

Anirwan Fauzee said those detained were Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Myanmarese and one Sri Lankan.

He added that 10 premises were also checked during the operation, including a golf club and car wash outlets.