TAWAU: A total of 22 illegal immigrants were arrested by the Sabah Immigration Department in two separate locations during Ops Sapu in the district, recently.
Its Director, Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof, said the operation was carried out by the Tawau branch’s Enforcement Unit together with the Kota Kinabalu Headquarters Enforcement Division, following a public complaint that there was an influx of foreigners in the area.
“Raids were carried out in the Balung and Bombalai areas which saw 92 individuals checked, while 22 were further detained for investigation.
“They comprise three Filipinos and 19 Indonesians who failed to present valid documents during the inspection,” he said.
Sitti Saleha said all the detainees were taken to the Tawau Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
He added that the objective of the operation was to eradicate and identify individuals who committed offences under the jurisdiction of the department.
He said the department does not take complaints or information provided by the public lightly, especially regarding foreigners who illegally stay in the country.
Therefore, he asked the public to continue to cooperate by channelling such information to the department.
