“Of the total, 271 people who did not have valid documents were detained and sent to the temporary detention center in Papar,” said Federal Special Task Force (Sabah/ Labuan) director Dato Haji Suhaimi Haji Mohd Salleh yesterday.
Speaking to the media at Bingkor Community Hall here, he said the six-series Tanduk operation was carried out at a number of identified areas occupied by illegal immigrants.
He said the operations began on Sunday and continued until yesterday.
“The illegal immigrants caught, mainly Indonesians and Filipinos, were at several locations around town, the tamu areas and at some identified villages,” he said.
He said the joint operation was carried out with the cooperation of the police, the Chief Minister’s Department, the Immigration Department and the National Registration Department.
According to him, those who did not have their documents when arrested could have their spouses submit the documents.
“For those employed, their employers could come with the necessary documents like passports and works passes.
“I also ask employers when hiring foreigners, to (ensure they) have legal documents.
“Employers who take in foreigners without legal documents are committing an offense punishable by law for protecting illegal immigrants,” he said.
Suhaimi added that those arrested and remanded at the temporary detention centre in Papar would be sent back to their home country as soon as possible.
According to him, the Special Task Force would only arrest, while the prosecuting process would be under the Immigration Department, adding that arresting and deporting illegal immigrants was according to Immigration Act 1959 Amendments 2002.
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