KOTA KINABALU: A total of 61 undocumented migrants from four countries were detained in a large-scale immigration operation across five settlements in Semporna.
The operation, which started at 8am on Tuesday (April 8) and ended at 4am on Wednesday (April 9), was led by the Sabah Immigration Department. Officers from Semporna, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, and Kota Kinabalu participated.
Sabah Immigration director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said the enforcement action was based on public complaints and intelligence gathered over three days.
“A total of 173 individuals were inspected, comprising both locals and foreigners,” she said in a statement.
Of those arrested, 33 men, nine women, three boys, and five girls were Filipino nationals. Another two men, one woman, and one girl were from Indonesia. Authorities also detained three Pakistani men and four Chinese men.
They were arrested under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963. All are currently held at the Tawau Immigration Depot for further investigation and action.
Sh Sitti Saleha said the department will continue taking stern action against any party found violating the Immigration Act, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).
“Action will also be taken against employers or individuals who hire or harbour illegal immigrants,” she warned.
