Illegal immigrants hide under quarters, rubbish in failed attempt to evade Bintulu immigration sweep

BINTULU (Sept 23): An integrated immigration enforcement operation here saw several foreign workers trying to evade arrest by hiding underneath their quarters as well as a pile of rubbish.

The Sarawak Immigration Department said the tactics failed as enforcement personnel detected their whereabouts and crawled into the confined space under the workers’ quarters to apprehend them.

The Bintulu Immigration Enforcement Unit conducted the operation together with the Bintulu Region Marine Police Force from 10am on Sept 21 to 6am the following day.

Bintulu Immigration chief Presely Geoffrey led the operation, which involved 20 officers from the department and nine Marine Police personnel.

Six locations around Bintulu town were inspected under Ops Selera, Ops Mahir, and joint enforcement operations.

The Immigration Department said during the inspections, several foreigners attempted to flee and hide in areas they believed would be difficult for enforcement personnel to access.

This included underneath workers’ quarters and behind rubbish piles, forcing personnel to crawl through confined spaces to locate and detain them.

“A total of 127 individuals were checked during the operation, with 84 foreigners arrested.

“Those detained comprised 67 adult men, 16 adult women, and a young boy.

“Of the total, 82 were Indonesian nationals while two were Filipinos,” the department said.

All those arrested were taken to the Bekenu Immigration Detention Depot for further action under the relevant immigration laws.

The Immigration Department said it would continue intensifying enforcement operations with relevant agencies to ensure compliance with immigration laws and curb the presence of foreigners who violate regulations in Sarawak.