Mohammad (right) with Suhaimi (centre) and Karunanithi at the press conference.
KOTA KINABALU: The authorities involved will take several measures to standardize the deportation of illegal immigrants in the state, said State Immigration Department director Datuk Mohammad Mentek.
He said that apart from the department, other agencies involved in standardization process are the Federal Special Task Force, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and State Prisons Department.
He said the standardization among the agencies would also see them sharing and having the same statistics to avoid any confusion.
Mohammad said the statistics would be released every week as a benchmark to ensure smooth implementation of the new task.
“Through this approach, we hope for a better transition in deporting illegal immigrants, who are being detained at several temporarily detention centres in the state, back to their countries of origin,” he said at a joint press conference with the heads of other agencies yesterday.
Among those present were Federal Special Task Force director Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Salleh and MMEA Sabah and Labuan commander First Admiral Karunanithi Munusamy.
According to Mohammad, as of Feb 19 this year, a total of 3,886 illegal immigrants had been detained at three temporary detention centres in the state, namely in Papar, Tawau and Sandakan.
Of the number, about 50 per cent were ex-convicts who had served their sentences, he added.
“Most of them were detained for various offences under the Immigration Act for not having any valid document.
“We hope through such cooperation between all agencies involved, we can solve many problems such as detention period of illegal immigrants at temporary detention centres,” said Mohammad, adding that last month, about 945 illegal immigrants had been deported to their country while some 401 illegal immigrants were waiting to be deported once all travel documents are completed.