Immigration nabs 26 foreigners in pre-dawn raid

BINTULU: What was supposed to be a good night’s rest turned into a nightmare for undocumented immigrants as Immigration enforcement officers came knocking on their doors in the wee hours of Monday.

In the operation codenamed ‘Ops Sapu’, the Bintulu Immigration Division’s enforcement unit conducted a series of raid at 2am on various settlements housing foreigners in Bakun.

The team inspected a total of 36 individuals at rental houses, shared accommodations and shophouses. Of the figure, 26 were arrested for working without valid work permits and travel documents.

Immigration officers arrest foreigners employed without valid work permits and travel documents.

Subsequently, all foreign detainees are remanded and the case is being investigated under Sections 6(1)(c), 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.

Following this, the department pledges to intensify efforts in detecting foreigners working or residing in the state without valid passports.

Meanwhile, employers are strongly urged to shoulder responsibility by ensuring that every foreign worker under their supervision, possesses a valid work permit.