Army foils attempt by foreigners to enter Sarawak illegally

KUCHING (Aug 16): The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) foiled an attempt by three foreigners to enter Sarawak illegally near Biawak in Lundu yesterday.

The First Infantry Division said ATM and Indonesian National Army (TNI-AD) personnel were conducting joint patrols at the Military Joint Post (Gabma), approximately 100 metres from the Indonesian border near Biawak at 1.45pm.

“During the patrol, the soldiers detained three undocumented foreigners aged between 36 and 48 years.

“Checks on their belongings found only their cash, mobile phones, wallet, and a bag of clothes worth up to RM2,175. No contraband items were found with them,” ATM said in a statement.

After the checks, the illegal immigrants were taken to the border to be deported back to Indonesia and a police report was lodged at Lundu police station to ensure the deportation action was carried out correctly according to regulations.

On the same day around 3pm, soldiers also found a box of meat, 528 packets of white sugar, and 63 packets of rice at an illegal route near Gabma Tebedu.

“The items found were worth RM3,538.90.

“A police report has been lodged at the Tebedu police station and all the confiscated items have been submitted to Tebedu Customs for further action,” ATM said in the statement.

The Malaysian Armed Forces said it remains committed to tightening controls at the Malaysia-Indonesia border to ensure the country’s sovereignty is maintained against any form of illegal immigrant intrusion, smuggling activities, or cross-border crime.