Kota Kinabalu: The Immigration Department in has issued a strong warning to employers regarding the misuse of immigration passes, following the deportation of 652 Filipinos detained for entering Malaysia illegally.
Its Director Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Binti Habib Yussof said employers must ensure that all foreigners they hire possess the appropriate Pass (PLKS) to work in Sabah.
“We are issuing a stern warning to individuals holding Social Visit Pass (PLS) for tourism purposes that any misuse of the pass for other purposes could lead to a ban from entering Sabah and Malaysia,” Saleha said.
The deportation, which took place on Sept. 5, involved both sea and air transport, bringing the total number of illegal immigrants deported this year to 4,809.
The 652 deportees, who ranged from two months to 76 years old were transported by sea on the MV Antonia 1, accompanied by their parents or guardians.
They were housed at immigration depots in Papar, Sandakan, and Tawau.
Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Binti Habib Yussof
The Department reiterated its commitment to conducting enforcement operations and deporting undocumented migrants (PATI) in accordance with existing policies and legislation.
Some 3,118 Filipino detainees have been repatriated so far this year, out of 4,809 foreign nationals.
Sitti Saleha said the frequency of the Filipino detainee transfer programme implemented by JIM Sabah is also subject to the cooperation of the Philippine Embassy in speeding up the documentation process.
