Kota Kinabalu: The Immigration Department has identified a new site for the construction of the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) Complex in the Nabawan district, which is located at the Malaysia-Indonesia border.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the CIQS Complex would facilitate people’s movement at the country’s border.
“I went to Pagalungan to see the immigration process there and the area was quite far. I was informed that a more suitable site for the CIQS Complex has been identified,” he told reporters after an integrated operation in squatter settlements around Kota Kinabalu, here, Monday.
Khairul Dzaimee said he also visited the Merapok-Sindumin and Mengkalap Immigration Control Posts in Sarawak to see the preparation ahead of the border reopening on April 1.
He added that a total of 850 illegal immigrants would be deported to their country of origin when the borders were reopened and the cost of their Covid-19 screening would be borne by their respective family members.
On the four-hour operation from 11pm on Sunday, a total of 117 Philippine nationals were detained, including 71 children, aged between two and 10, and would be sent to the Kota Kinabalu Immigration Department for documentation process.
“Our checks found that the squatter settlement near Sungai Likas was using illegal electricity and water supply connection and the condition here is dangerous for public health. We will inform the relevant authorities for further action,” he said.
State Immigration Department Director Sh. Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said the operation’s main goal is to eliminate illegal immigrants and anyone who violates the Immigration Act 1959/63 [amended 2002] (Act 155), Immigration Regulations 1963 [amended 2011], Passport Act 1966 (Act 150), Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 [amended 2015] (Act 670).
“A screening test is also performed on each detainee to ensure no transmission of Covid-19 before they are sent to the Immigration depot in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Ministry of Health,” she said, adding the operation led by Hasanal Ag. Hashim involved 48 enforcement officers.
Also present were Director of Immigration’s Intelligence and Special Operations Division Basri Othman and State Immigration Deputy Director (Operations) Masri Adul.
Saleha warned anyone, including locals, not to rent or allow illegal immigrants to live on their property.
“The Immigration Department will not make any concessions to any party who conspires to bring or place any illegal immigrants in their settlement area,” she said.
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