MIRI: The Philippines Embassy has processed the travel documents of 907 Suluk and Bajau illegal immigrants who voluntarily surrendered to the Immigration Department to be deported to their own country.
However, the state government is still working out with the Navy on how to send them back by sea and they are still waiting at places where they have been staying.
This was disclosed by Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin to the press after chairing the Miri Divisional Security Task Force meeting at the Resident’s Office here yesterday.
He added to date, the Philippines Embassy had processed 1,420 travel documents of the Suluks and Bajaus who were staying illegally in the state, to facilitate their deportation.
“This is the result of the action taken by the task force comprising Immigration Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and other relevant authorities to curb illegal immigration in the state, “ Lee said.
On June 18 and 23, the Navy ship KD Mahawangsa Malaysian sent back a total of 513 Suluks and Bajaus in two batches to Southern Philippines.
Among those present at the press briefing were chairman of Miri Divisional Security Committees, Antonio Kahti Galis; Miri Immigration chief Roy G Fender Entusa and its enforcement chief Lisa Baru; Miri MMEA commanding officer Syed Nor’ Adli Syed Abdul Rahman; representatives from police and special branch; Fisheries Department; Land and Survey Department; Miri City Council; Sarawak Energy Bhd; Resident’s Office and Miri Fishermen Association.
According to Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, 1,420 Suluks and Bajaus responded to the amnesty offered by the state to send them back to their country in March. He also disclosed that MMEA detained a vessel registered in Labuan on April 13, trawling 13 miles offshore of Lutong and arrested 12 Filipinos and one a Sabahan on board.
“The Immigration and MMEA taskforce is carrying out its operation to combat illegal immigration in Miri and we appeal to illegal immigrants to surrender themselves to the authorities.”