Immigration Dept runs enforcement ops in Kuching areas known to house foreign workers

KUCHING (Jan 9): A total of 13 foreign workers were detained during the Sarawak Immigration Department’s latest enforcement operation here.

Carried out by the department’s Kuching Enforcement Division, the operation from 7.30pm on Wednesday until 3.30am on Thursday was part of ongoing efforts to curb immigration-related offences.

In a statement, the department said the operation involved 19 enforcement officers who inspected several premises suspected of housing or employing undocumented foreigners.

Among the locations targeted were a food court at Kampung Boyan, rented houses in Tabuan and Taman Central Timur, as well as rented rooms around the Kota Sentosa and Batu Kawa areas, which were identified as places of residence for foreign nationals.

“Despite attempts by some individuals to flee during the raids, swift and efficient action by enforcement officers led to the successful detention of all 13 foreign nationals involved,” said the department.

All those detained have been taken in for further investigation and the case will be probed under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and related regulations.

The Sarawak Immigration Department reiterated its commitment to strengthen enforcement activities to ensure compliance with immigration laws as well as to safeguard national security and public order.