LAHAD DATU: The Sabah Immigration Department has successfully carried out the foreign detainees repatriation to their country of origin through the self-financing programme which involved 150 individuals.
The programme was carried out via sea through the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Lahad Datu to Bongao, Philippines involving 140 Filipino illegals.
While 10 other illegals from Pakistan, India as well as the Philippines were repatriated via air through Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The self-financing programme for deportation purposes enables the detainees to pay for their own transportation cost to return to their country of origin. The deportees have completed their sentences according to the law and own valid travel documents or international passports to qualify for joining this programme.
Sabah Immigration Director, Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said, the deportees were aged between two days to 82. The children involved in this programme were accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
“To date, a total of 2,423 migrants have been repatriated to their country of origin. All those involved in this programme had completed their sentences and possessed valid travel documents or international passports,” she said, in a statement on Monday.
The travellers and foreign tourists are advised to comply with the laws and regulations to enter the country such as possessing valid travel documents or international passport, visa to enter Malaysia, not classified as a prohibited migrant and have a valid ticket for the return trip to the country of origin.
Sabah Immigration Department would not compromise on any foreign nationals found abusing the country’s laws and regulations.
The individuals who violate the terms of the pass or permit as stated under Act 155 and Immigration Regulations 1963 would be prosecuted.
