TAWAU: A total of 342 Indonesian illegals were repatriated to their country in a two-day programme carried out by the Sabah Immigration Department at the Tawau Port.
State Immigration Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yusoff said the programme was the 13th and 14th series involving Indonesian detainees only. According to her, the illegals comprising 252 males and 62 females, including 16 boys and 12 girls, were transferred directly to the Tunon Taka Nunukan Port.
“The first day of the transfer on Wednesday involved 135 detainees from the Tawau immigration depot and the second on Thursday involved 207.
“Detainees on the second day include those from the Kota Kinabalu, Papar and Sandakan immigration depots,” she said.
Sh Sitti said the programme was a collaboration between the Malaysian Immigration Department and the Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia in the category of transfer using sea transportation.
Commenting further, she said the transfer process involved security escort to the Mid-East Express 1 and Malindo Express 2 vessels which saw completion around 3.30pm.
“All illegals who were detained were involved in various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“The punishment imposed is based on the Immigration Act and the national legal process up to the action of deportation out of the country,” she said.
Sh Sitti reminded all foreigners to make sure they have a valid travel document and an authorised Sabah work permit before entering the country.
“All enforcement agencies in the State will always take strict action against those who do not comply with the rules and laws of the country.
“The State Immigration Department will continue to carry out enforcement and deportation of illegals after legal processes and upon having received confirmation from the embassies of their respective countries,” she added.
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