KUCHING: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) are considering launching ‘Jala’ operations to deal with the entry of undocumented immigrants to the state.
SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas explained the word ‘jala’ means casting net to catch ‘fish’ (undocumented immigrants).
Further details of such operation and when it will commence, will be announced in the near future.
“From time to time, there have been arrests involving immigrants as well as positive cases of Covid-19 among them too.
“And recently, four immigrants were found positive for Covid-19 in Sibu and (they) escaped back to their country.
“Hence, we have discussed and feel that we need to strengthen our effort or try to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants in the state as these people can be a big threat to our state,” he said at the daily Covid-19 update press conference.
On the same issue, the General Operations Force (GOF) have arrested a 55-year-old local man for allegedly trafficking six Indonesians aged 18 to 51 into the state.
The incident happened at Kampung Sungai Aping junction in Serian last Monday (Dec 21) around 7.45pm.
“During their arrest, the group told the enforcement team that they have job offers but as a matter of fact, they have entered Sarawak illegally via a rat trail (jalan tikus).
“All of them were handed over to the Serian police station along with the confiscated items amounting to RM 11,621.00 for further actions.
“The group will be charged under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling (Antipsom) 2007,” he said.
Meanwhile from Dec 19 to 20, a total of 11 Indonesians have been deported back to their country at a rat trail in Kampung Biawak.
Apart from that, a total of 1,196 vehicles have been inspected under Ops Benteng, through seven roadblocks in six districts — two in Lawas, and one each in Lundu, Bau, Serian, Sri Aman, and Lubok Antu.
