TAWAU: Marine Police Force (PPM) stopped an attempt by a boat from a neighbouring country to bring in illegal immigrants (Pati) into the country in the district’s waters around 9.40am, Sunday.
Commanding Officer of the PPM Region 4 Tawau Operations Headquarters, DSP Ridzauddin Selamat, said the boat was manned by a man with four passengers, three adult men and a woman.
“The Indonesian citizens between the age 17 and 48 was found not having any valid identity documents.
“Before being escorted to the national border, the skipper and the illegal immigrants were given an explanation on the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
“In comparison to previous arrests, the operation carried out this time was to focus on the approach of deportation,” he said.
Ridzauddin stated that the situation was in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act of 1998, which was enacted to prevent the spread of diseases brought into the country by foreigners.
“The approach is also an early preventive measure to ensure that no illegal immigrants enter Tawau’s waters.
“In this regard, PPM hopes that the coastal community can channel information about illegal immigration into their areas. Any information can be sent via WhatsApp to PPM Region 4 Sabah (0139391197) or PPM Tawau Operations Room (089983628).
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