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TAWAU: Attempts by 10 Indonesian illegal immigrants (Pati) to enter the state by landing at the Kg Hidayat Log Unloading Jetty, failed when they were arrested by security forces around 5.50 am, on Tuesday.

Commander of Joint Task Force 2 (ATB2), Brigadier General Abdul Karim Ahmad, said they were found hiding in a goat pen to avoid detection by a team of Quick Reaction Force (QRF) According to him, all the undocumented detainees consisted of eight men and two women aged between 19 and 45 years.

Earlier, he said, the success of the arrest was the result of the quick action of the QRF team which was carrying out an integrated operation dubbed ‘Op Benteng Bersama’ after detecting the presence of two suspicious speed boats landing at the said location.

 “The is said to be moving from Sebatik Island, Indonesia towards the village area on the water and is believed to have turned back to the border as soon as they dropped off their passengers, “he said.

Abdul Karim said, all illegal immigrants were brought to the Tawau District Police Headquarters (IPD) at 6.45 am for further action, including undergoing the Covid19 screening process.

 The case, he said, is being investigated under Section 6 (3) of the Immigration Act 1959/6 for living and being in Malaysia without a valid pass or permit.