Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Immigration Department has so far repatriated a total of 4,847 foreign nationals through entry points, including 67 Pakistani and four Indian nationals last week, as part of its ongoing Transfer Programme for Undocumented Migrant Detainees (Pati).
Its Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said the latest repatriations via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) involved detainees from various immigration detention centres across the State.
She said three Pakistani nationals were transferred from the Kota Kinabalu Immigration Detention Centre on April 28, followed by four Pakistanis from a detention centre in Sandakan on April 29, one from Tawau on April 30 and another four from Kota Kinabalu on May 1, while Indian nationals were repatriated on April 29.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});She said the 4,847 undocumented migrants sent back to their home countries have completed their prison sentences and possess valid international passports, thereby avoiding prolonged detention.
Sh Sitti said the department will not compromise with any foreign nationals who misuse their passes or the facilities granted to them.
“Legal action will be taken against employers and premises owners found hiring or harbouring undocumented migrants, as well as individuals who breach the conditions of their visas or permits, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) and Immigration Regulations 1963,” she said.
