Immigration Dept raids construction sites in Kuching, nets 25 illegal immigrants
KUCHING (May 9): A Sarawak Immigration Department enforcement operation at two construction sites here in the wee hours of this morning saw 25 illegal immigrants detained.
The operation starting 1am was carried out based on intelligence gathered by the department's Special Task Force (PTK).
Sarawak Immigration director Abdul Halim Abang Naili said the offences detected included the absence of valid travel documents, overstaying, and misuse of social visit passes.
'All those detained have been taken to the Immigration Detention Depot for further action under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963,' he said in a statement.
He said preliminary intelligence revealed that the construction sites were hotspots for foreigners suspected of working illegally.
'During the raid, a total of 46 individuals were inspected, comprising 39 men and seven women, all of whom were foreign nationals.
'Of these, 25 individuals, 21 men and four women were arrested. All are Indonesian nationals,' he said.
The operation led by the PTK unit in collaboration with the Operations Unit, involved 51 personnel.
Abdul Halim also called on the public and employers to continue cooperating with the authorities to ensure immigration laws are upheld and to report any activities involving illegal immigrants to the nearest authorities.
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