MIRI: The Sarawak Immigration Department has arrested 58 foreigners including 24 babies and children in an operation dubbed ‘Ops Sapu’ last Friday.
Its director Abdul Halim Abang Naili said that the operation to detect the presence of undocumented migrants was held around the city at 12.15 am.
Acting on gathered intelligence, the team managed to raid several areas suspected of housing foreigners working without valid passes or overstaying in the country without valid travel documents.
“Fifty-eight foreigners, comprising Sulus and Indonesians, were arrested in the operation.
“Among them are 20 men, 14 women, and 24 babies and children, who are between the ages of 11 months and 12 years old,” he said.
The foreigners were found to have committed various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
He stated that the detainees are being placed at Bekenu Immigration Detention Depot for further investigations and action.
Abdul Halim pointed out that the operation was made successful with the involvement of 60 rank-and-file officers from the Sarawak Immigration Enforcement Unit.
“Such operation will be held throughout the state this year as an effort to curb the entry of foreign migrants in Malaysia without valid travel documents or work permits.
“We call upon the public to cooperate by channelling any information regarding the whereabouts of foreigners suspected of not having any valid travel documents or work permits,” he said.
