Sandakan: A total of 25 illegal immigrants were detained, and nearly RM500,000 in estimated seizures and compounds were recorded during a two-day integrated operation coordinated by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) here, which began yesterday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, ESSCOM Commander Datuk Victor Sanjos stated that inspections at several squatter colonies around Jalan Istana, Kampung Tabah Baru, Kampung Karamunting, and the Sandakan City Centre uncovered various illegal activities. "In the operation, the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) detained 21 Philippine nationals and four Indonesian nationals for failing to produce valid travel documents, while the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) seized smuggled cigarettes worth RM20,000," he said.
Additionally, Sabah Electricity seized 300 kilogrammes (kgs) of illegal electrical connection cables worth RM15,000, highlighting losses estimated to reach RM300,000 per year due to these illegal connections. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) also seized 1,105 kgs of subsidised cooking oil estimated to be worth RM2,762, along with a vehicle valued at RM20,049.
Moreover, the Sabah Wildlife Department seized 1,550 turtle eggs estimated to be worth RM7,750, preventing them from entering the black market and supporting the conservation of protected marine species. Meanwhile, Victor emphasized that the operation's success underscores that threats to security in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESS Zone) extend beyond cross-border crime or the presence of illegal immigrants, encompassing various illegal economic activities.
These activities include the misuse of subsidies, illegal utility connections, smuggling, and violations of labour laws, which have direct impacts on government revenue, community safety, and job opportunities for locals. The integrated operation, involving 263 officers and personnel from ESSCOM, JIM, JKDM, and the Sandakan Municipal Council, is part of the MADANI Government's efforts through ESSCOM's 'Operasi Sanggah' to fortify existing security in the ESS Zone.
Victor further encouraged the public possessing any information regarding security incidents or suspicious activities in the ESS Zone to report to the ESSCOM Operations Centre by contacting the hotline at 089-863181 or via WhatsApp at 011-63311072.