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 on Thursday.
Esscom Commander Datuk Victor Sanjos said 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.
Sabah Electricity staff collect illegal electrical connection wires that were successfully cut in a squatter housing area.“At the same time, Sabah Electricity seized 300 kilogrammes (kg) of illegal electrical connection cables worth RM15,000, and it is estimated that the agency suffers losses reaching RM300,000 per year due to these illegal connections,” he said in a statement, Friday.
He said the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) also seized 1,105kg of subsidised cooking oil estimated to be worth RM2,762, as well as a vehicle valued at RM20,049.
“Among other things, the Sabah Wildlife Department also seized 1,550 turtle eggs estimated to be worth RM7,750; the seizure prevented the turtle eggs from entering the black market, thereby supporting the conservation of protected marine species,” he said.
Meanwhile, Victor said the success of the operation proves that threats to security in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) do not solely involve cross-border crime or the presence of illegal immigrants, but also encompasses various illegal economic activities.
“These include the misuse of subsidies, illegal utility connections, smuggling and violations of labour laws, which have a direct impact on government revenue, community safety, and job opportunities for locals,” he said.
He also said 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 strengthen existing security in the Esszone.
According to him, the public who possesses any information regarding security incidents or suspicious activities in the Esszone should channel it to the Esscom Operations Centre by contacting the hotline at 089-863181 or via WhatsApp at 011-63311072.
