KUCHING: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) have thwarted three separate attempts by 10 illegal immigrants to enter Sarawak on the same day.
A spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division said all the immigrants detained on Sunday (Aug 22) had since been deported to their country of origin.
In the first attempt at around 2.45pm, a patrol caught five Indonesians (four men, a woman) walking along a jalan tikus (illegal border route) towards the border in Biawak, Lundu.
During questioning, they said they wanted to find work in Sarawak. All did not have any valid travel documents.
“The second attempt occurred at Tetangga Akrab oil palm plantation in Balai Ringin around 7.15pm. Three Indonesian men were nabbed.
“Meanwhile in Lubok Antu, two Indonesian men were caught in Jalan Ensawang around 9.45pm.
“During questioning, they said they wanted to collect farm produce in Malaysia.”
The spokesman assured that ATM would continue to enforce ‘Ops Benteng’ to curb the entry of illegal immigrants into Sarawak as well as prevent cross-border criminal activities.