25 foreigners detained in raids around Kuching City

KUCHING: A total of 25 foreigners were detained after immigration officers raided nine locations around the city under Ops Selera, Ops Kutip and Ops Sapu.

The joint operations were carried out by the Kuching Immigration Enforcement Division from Sept 17 to 18.

The Sarawak Immigration Department said the operations, which ran from 8 pm to 4 am, were conducted following public complaints and intelligence gathered by its enforcement division.

Targeted premises included eateries, shops suspected of hosting online gambling activities, workers’ quarters, houses under construction, and rented rooms around Jalan Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wee Boon Ping, Jalan Landeh, Jalan Setia Raja, Kampung Sungai Batu, Jalan Sultan Tengah and Jalan Demak.

A total of 58 people were screened, with 25 detained for further action. One witness summons was also issued to assist investigations into immigration offences uncovered during the operations.

The detainees are being investigated under Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), as well as Regulation 11(7)(a) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.

Sarawak Immigration Department said it would continue conducting targeted enforcement operations based on intelligence and public complaints to ensure compliance with immigration laws.

It added that public cooperation in reporting immigration offences was greatly appreciated in helping the department carry out effective enforcement.