Kota kinabalu: The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) in Sabah detained 130 illegal immigrants in a series of integrated enforcement operations across five districts recently to curb various immigration offences.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, JIM Sabah stated that the large-scale crackdown covered Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Semporna through several operations, including Ops Kutip, Ops Selera, Ops Sapu, Ops Gegar, Ops Mahir, and Ops Jaja. The arrests were made following thorough inspections of 541 individuals present at the raid locations. They were found to have violated provisions under the Immigration Act 1959/63, including failure to produce valid identification documents and misuse of pass conditions.

In Kota Kinabalu, authorities inspected 272 individuals, resulting in the detention of 32 foreign nationals from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Pakistan. In Keningau, inspections of 44 individuals led to the detention of 26 Filipinos and Indonesians.

The operation in Sandakan led to the arrest of 24 individuals, comprising Filipinos and Indonesians, after inspections of 84 individuals. Lahad Datu recorded the highest number of arrests, with 33 illegal immigrants from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan detained out of 114 individuals inspected. In Semporna, random checks on 27 individuals resulted in the detention of 15 foreign nationals from China and Pakistan.

JIM Sabah emphasized their commitment to intensifying operations to ensure full compliance with the country's laws.