SANDAKAN: A total of 107 undocumented migrants, including 25 children, were detained in a series of immigration operations across four districts in Sabah between Monday (Nov 9) and Wednesday (Nov 11).
The Sabah Immigration Department said the operations in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Ranau and Sandakan were part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration across the state.
Of those detained, 71 were picked up during simultaneous operations in Ranau and Sandakan on Wednesday, while another 36 were arrested in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang on Monday.
In Sandakan, 50 undocumented migrants, including 25 children, were detained during Ops Sapu, which began at 1.35am on Wednesday.
A team of 15 immigration enforcement officers inspected 83 individuals at five locations, including Kampung Ulu Dusun at Mile 30, Jalan Labuk, Kampung Bimbim at Mile 16, two sites in Kampung Gum-Gum and Flat Taman Sejati at Mile 7, Jalan Airport.
In Ranau, 21 Filipino nationals were detained following public complaints about the presence of suspected undocumented migrants.
The operation involved 14 immigration officers assisted by Rela personnel, who inspected 24 individuals at three locations.
The department said the 71 detainees from both districts comprised 68 Filipinos and three Indonesians.
Meanwhile, separate operations conducted in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang on Monday resulted in the detention of 36 undocumented migrants and one employer.
The operations, involving 19 enforcement officers, were carried out from 2pm to 11.30pm at six locations, including shopping centres, spas, business premises and rented rooms.
A total of 312 individuals were screened during the operations, which were conducted under Ops Belanja, Ops Kutip, Ops Sapu and Ops Gegar.
The 36 undocumented migrants comprised 34 Filipinos, one Pakistani and one Indonesian, all of whom were found without valid identification documents or immigration passes.
The department also issued a witness summons, known as Form Imm.29, for further action.
All 107 undocumented migrants were detained under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for allegedly entering or remaining in Malaysia without valid passes or permits.
The detainees from the Kota Kinabalu and Penampang operations were taken to the Kota Kinabalu Immigration Depot for documentation and further investigation.
The department said enforcement operations would continue across Sabah, including urban centres and rural districts.
It also urged the public to report suspected immigration offences through its official complaint channels.
