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TAWAU: THE Immigration Department detained 61 foreign nationals, including tourists, suspected of abusing social visit passes by working at a resort construction site in Semporna, during Operation Mahir on Saturday.

Sabah Immigration Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said some tourists were supposed to have returned to their home countries in May but were still in Malaysia.

They were among those detained in a raid on two construction sites that used foreign labour on Mataking Island and waters off Bum-Bum Island.

“The detainees consisted of 36 citizens of the People’s Republic of China and 25 Filipinos aged between 19 and 65 who are suspected of various offences such as not having identification documents, overstaying their visas and abusing social visit passes,” she said.

The offences were committed under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.

Her team is investigating employers and property owners under Section 55B, Section 55E, and Section 56(1)(i) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. 

These sections address offences related to employing workers without valid passports, allowing illegal immigrants (Pati) on their premises, and providing protection to illegal immigrants.

Sitti said the raid on two locations involved 14 officers from its Kota Kinabalu head office. The operation, which took place from 7.45am to 3pm, resulted in the arrest of 95 individuals for documentation checks. 

This led to the further detention of 61 workers, who are currently held at the Tawau Immigration Detention Depot for investigation and further action.

Some foreigners attempted to escape but were apprehended. She warned individuals believed to be masterminding these violations, stressing such actions undermine immigration rules and regulations.

“The public and employers are reminded not to shield Pati or face strict legal consequences. Those with information about Pati or who can assist in enforcement are encouraged to come forward and share the information,” she said.

She said that enforcement operations will continue to detect, arrest, prosecute, and deport foreigners who violate the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966, the Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.