TAWAU: Foreigners took desperate measures, including cutting down trees and blocking roads with large trucks, in an attempt to impede a 40-officer team from the Sabah Immigration Department during enforcement operations in Semporna.
The two-day operation targeting illegal immigrants, which started on Tuesday, faced resistance as officers attempted to reach squatter settlements.
Sabah Immigration Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said road obstacles were strategically placed along narrow, muddy paths leading to squatter areas in Jalan Bubul Lama, forcing officers to continue their approach on foot for about 300 metres.
“Despite these obstacles, we pushed through and completed our mission,” she told a media conference at the Immigration Office following the conclusion of Ops Mahir and Ops Sapu operations conducted across five locations in Semporna.
Immigration officers encountered various evasion tactics, including individuals hiding inside wardrobes during inspections.
Some attempted to present photocopied identification documents, claiming that the originals were being held by employers or friends.
Early warning systems were also in place by some foreigners, with lookouts alerting communities upon spotting enforcement vehicles.
The operations resulted in 173 individuals being screened and 88 arrests. Those detained included 78 Filipinos, four Chinese nationals who had overstayed their special passes (which expired on March 18), three Indonesians and three Pakistanis.
Ops Mahir specifically targeted a resort construction site in Jalan Bugaya, resulting in 14 arrests, including 10 Filipino nationals.
Meanwhile, Ops Sapu was conducted at two squatter areas in Jalan Bubul Lama and two residential premises in Kampung Damai.
All detainees have been transferred to the Tawau Immigration Depot pending verification of documents by employers and family members.
Sitti Saleha reminded everyone to comply with visa requirements or face legal consequences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulations 1963.
