KOTA KINABALU: Deported foreigners are now blacklisted from returning to the country, says Sabah Immigration Department director Datuk Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof.
She said this in a statement following the deportation of six China nationals on Dec 10, who finished serving jail sentences for immigration offences in Sabah.
She said the six male nationals aged between 32 and 55, were sent to Guangzhou, China, via Batik Air from the Tawau International Airport.
Sitti Saleha said the six men had completed their jail sentences for offences such as overstaying and illegal entry.
She said for this year alone, the state has deported a total of 8,157 foreigners including 42 China nationals.
“All these deportees have been blacklisted in the Malaysia Immigration Department database,” she said, adding those who have been blacklisted would have to recheck with the department for other questions.
Sitti Saleha said immigration operations such as deportations were carried out with the respective embassies in the country.
“We will continue to conduct similar exercises to protect the sovereignty of the nation and uphold immigration laws,” she said.
“There will be no compromise on anyone who misuses their passes and facilities provided by the Malaysian government,” she said.
As for employers who hire illegally and premise owners harbouring undocumented migrants, they too will face legal charges, said Sitti Saleha.
More and stricter crackdowns are in the pipeline for Sabah, she warned.
