172 illegals held in Labuan
LABUAN: A total of 172 individuals believed to be illegal immigrants were detained during an integrated operation here on February 15.
Federal Territory Labuan National Security Council (MKN) secretary ASP Fauzi Ibrahim yesterday said after screening, 82 individuals were freed while 90 were remanded for further investigation.
“Among those remanded were 80 Filipinos and 10 Indonesians aged between six months to 54. They were sent to the temporary detention centre (PTS) in Papar for investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002).
“This integrated operation led by MKN Sabah, is a continuous effort by various enforcement agencies to resolve the illegal immigrant issue in Sabah and Labuan. Since this operation started in January, a total of 650 illegal immigrants had been detained and sent to their respective countries,” he said.
Fauzi added that the operation led by the secretary of MKN Sabah, Rodzi Md Saad, involved 146 officers and personnel from various agencies such as the police, Immigration Department, National Registration Department, Civil Defence Department, Labuan Corporation, RELA Corps and Labuan Marine Department.
“This operation was based on reports from various agencies which said there were many illegal immigrants here in Labuan. The checks were done at refugee centres in Kiamsam, in construction areas, squatter settlements and around Labuan town.
“MKN is urging all parties here to obey the law. Members of the public and employers found protecting the illegal immigrants will face stern legal action,” he said.
In Kota Kinabalu, enforcement agencies nabbed 24 Filipino illegal immigrants (PTI) in a joint operation dubbed Op Nyah Sabah in Menggatal, Kingfisher and Likas.
City police chief ACP M Chandra said the operation involved four officers and 134 personnel from various enforcement agencies, including Royal Malaysian Police, Police Volunteer Reserve, Task Force, National Registration Department, Civil Defence Department, Rela, City Hall, Immigration Depa r t ment and General Operations Force.
The operation was carried out from 1am to 8am yesterday at Kampung Lokub, Meggatal, squatter houses at Kingfisher, Sulaman and squatter houses in Likas.
Chandra said the officers and personnel brought 47 individuals to Karamunsing police station for document inspection, including 43 Filipinos and four Indonesians.
“A total of 24 PTI have been detained and they are all Filipinos – fou r men , si x women and 14 children.
“They will be investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959.”
Chandra said Op Nyah Sabah would be carried out from time to time to eradicate PTI and squatters in Kota Kinabalu.