Labuan: The Immigration Department arrested 20 illegal immigrants during a pre-dawn enforcement operation on the duty-free island of Labuan today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the operation was led by the Immigration Department's director, Raymond Entalai, and took place between 12.30 am and 2.30 am. This action was initiated based on public tip-offs and intelligence gathered by the department's Enforcement Division.
Raymond Entalai stated that a total of 22 officers were deployed to four residential areas, where they conducted inspections on 46 individuals. As a result of these checks, 20 individuals were detained for suspected offences under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The detainees included three adult men, six adult women, seven female children, and four male children, all of whom are Filipino nationals ranging in age from four months to 59 years. In addition to the arrests, two summons notices were issued to witnesses. All detainees were subsequently taken to the Immigration Enforcement Division office in Labuan for documentation and further investigation.
Raymond emphasized that enforcement operations will persist in detecting, arresting, prosecuting, and deporting foreign nationals who violate Malaysian immigration laws. These laws include the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).
He also issued a reminder that strict action would be taken against employers or individuals found to be employing or harbouring illegal immigrants.