KUCHING: A foreign infant among those detained — that was one of the results of an overnight ‘Op Sekat’ on Tuesday (Aug 12), which saw enforcement agencies arresting 78 undocumented foreigners and a local man.
The nine-month-old was the youngest of those taken in during the integrated operation from 10 pm until 6 am the next day (Aug 13), which involved 215 personnel from Kuching district police headquarters, General Operations Force (GOF) 11th Battalion, Immigration Department and National Registration Department.
Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the teams raided industrial areas, construction sites, and squatter settlements — identified as illegal immigrant hotspots.
“The operation aimed to detect, detain, and act against offenders under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and other relevant laws, following several burglary and robbery cases linked to suspected illegal immigrant settlements.
“Those detained, aged between nine months old and 56, comprised of 59 men, 15 women, one boy, and three girls. Of them, 62 were Indonesians and 16 Bangladeshis,” he said in a statement.
Alexson pointed out that 78 foreigners were found to have committed offences under Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Meanwhile, the local man tested positive for drugs under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He urged the public to report any information regarding presence and activities of undocumented foreigners in their areas to help address the problem.
