SRI AMAN: Immigration officers arrested 37 foreign nationals during an enforcement operations targeting workers’ quarters at a palm oil plantation in Lingga here on Wednesday (Feb 5).
The operations, codenamed ‘Ops Sapu’, was carried out by the Immigration Enforcement Division of Kuching following intelligence gathering and surveillance to curb immigration-related offences.
A total of 57 individuals were checked during the operations, with those detained suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, including failure to possess valid travel documents and overstaying.
The department said the location of the workers’ quarters, which was deep within the plantation area, posed logistical challenges due to difficult terrain and narrow access roads.
“Attempts to obstruct enforcement were also detected, with access routes deliberately blocked using logs and heavy machinery.
“However, officers proceeded with the operations to ensure the enforcement of immigration laws,” the department said in a statement.
All those detained were brought to the Immigration Office for further investigation and legal action.
The department said similar operations would continue to be intensified from time to time to ensure compliance with immigration laws and curb illegal activities in Sarawak.
