KUCHING: A total of 25 immigrants were detained for various immigration offences during an operation carried out by the Special Operations Team of the Sarawak Immigration Department (JIMS) at two construction sites here.
Sarawak Immigration Director, Abdul Halim Abang Naili, said the operation, which took place at 1:00 am today, involved 51 officers.
“Initial intelligence found that the area had become a hotspot for foreign nationals suspected of working illegally,” he said in a statement.
A total of 46 individuals comprising 39 men and seven women – all foreigners – were inspected during the raid.
“Out of this number, 25 individuals were detained, consisting of 21 men and four women. All of them are Indonesian nationals,” he said.
Among the offences detected were the absence of valid travel documents, overstaying, and misuse of social visit passes.
“All those detained have been brought to the Immigration Detention Depot for further action under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963,” he added.
Abdul Halim also called on the public and employers to continue cooperating with the authorities in ensuring compliance with immigration laws, and to report any activities involving illegal immigrants to the nearest authorities.