Kota Kinabalu: A total of 397 undocumented Indonesians were deported from Tawau on Thursday.
Sabah Immigration Director Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Binti Habib Yussof said the 21st repatriation programme focused on deporting Indonesian nationals via sea route.
She said the detainees were transferred from the Kota Kinabalu, Papar and Sandakan Immigration Depots.
“This operation was conducted in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kota Kinabalu,” she said in a statement.
The detainees were transported from the Tawau Ferry Terminal to Nunukan Port in Indonesia, utilising Francis Express, Labuan Express and Purnama Express ferries.
The repatriated individuals comprised 286 adult males, 76 adult females, 31 children aged 12 and under, and four infants aged 23 months and under.
Children involved in the programme were accompanied by their parents or guardians.
As of Thursday, a total of 2,251 Indonesians have been repatriated, contributing to a total of 10,212 illegal immigrants repatriated from Sabah.
All individuals had completed their sentences in accordance with the stipulated legal provisions and were issued valid Sijil Perjalanan Laksana Paspor (SPLP) travel documents, making them eligible for the repatriation process.
The frequency of repatriation programmes is contingent upon the time required for the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Sabah to issue the SPLP documents.
Employers are strongly advised to ensure that their foreign workers possess valid documents and employment guarantees to curb the influx of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
The Sabah Immigration Department remains committed to taking firm and uncompromising action against employers who harbour foreign workers without valid documentation.
Employers found colluding with or protecting illegal immigrants may face severe penalties under the Immigration Act 1959/63, including fines up to RM50,000, imprisonment and caning.
