KOTA KINABALU: Immigration officials in Sabah have deported 184 Filipinos and 10 Pakistani nationals in a recent exercise.
The deported individuals had served sentences for various immigration offences and left the country at their own expense, in accordance with Sabah Immigration laws.
Sabah Immigration Department director Datuk Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said the deportees included children and adults aged between two and 75.
The Filipinos were deported to Bongao and Manila, while the Pakistanis were sent back to Islamabad, she said.
She added that this deportation occurred just before the Ramadan fasting month started on Sunday (March 2).
"This is part of the department’s ongoing crackdown against illegal immigrants, and we will continue with the deportation of all detainees still in Sabah," Sitti said.
The deportation speed and timeframe depend on several procedures, including the issuance of proper travel documents and passports by the embassies of the nationals involved.
"The Sabah Immigration Department will not hesitate to take action against anyone misusing visitors' passes or facilities provided by the state," she added.
The department has sent back a total of 1,202 illegal immigrants to date this year, Sitti said.
She warned employers and property owners against hiring or harbouring illegal immigrants, as they may face legal repercussions.
