TAWAU: The Malaysian Immigration Department arrested 48 undocumented migrants from China, the Philippines and Indonesia during an enforcement operation conducted around town here on Thursday.
Its Sabah Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said the blitz followed a week-long intelligence gathering and public tip-offs targeting specific locations.
“The operation involved 16 officers from the Tawau Immigration Enforcement Division who screened and questioned 89 individuals,” she said, Saturday.
Following checks, authorities detained 48 foreigners found without proper identification documents or carrying expired passports, in violation of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Sitti Saleha said the department is committed to conducting ongoing operations against illegal immigrants throughout the State, including Tawau.
“There will be no compromise for anyone caught violating immigration laws, whether foreigners or locals, especially in cases involving security concerns,” she said.
She added that authorities are also targeting employers who continue to harbour or hire workers without valid documents.
The public is urged to report any suspected immigration violations or the presence of undocumented migrants in their neighbourhoods.
