Spotlight now on illegal PRC nationals

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Rising number of Chinese nationals overstaying in the state worrying, Immigration Department trying to flush them out

KUCHING: After its successful crackdowns on illegal immigrants from Southern Philippines, the state Immigration Department is now turning its attention on People’s Republic of China (PRC) nationals who are overstaying in the state.

The department’s deputy director, Hamfatullah Syawal Hamdan, said the increasing number of PRC nationals staying illegally in the state was a cause for concern and something had to be done about the situation.

“The hotspots for illegal immigrants in the state are Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and Mukah, and from investigations, PRC nationals are the biggest threats besides Indonesians and Filipinos.

“We are having difficulties in identifying whether they are local Chinese or Mainland Chinese as they are adapting to local lifestyle,” he told reporters when met after the Kuih Raya distribution ceremony for security personnel at Penrissen Camp yesterday.

Touching on Indonesians entering the state without documents, Hamfatullah said his department detected an average of five to 10 persons crossing the Sarawak-Kalimantan border illegally every day.

He added it was difficult to stop these illegal immigrants from Kalimantan because the border was not fenced.

Compounding to the situation, many who entered and exit regularly were friends or relatives of Sarawakians living close to the border, he added.

“So far it is not a worrying trend, but the occurrence is expected to rise as the population on both sides of the border is growing, and it may become a threat in the future.

“Currently, there are 49 ‘jalan tikus’ (illegal routes that can be passed through by motorcycles), while there are 14 ‘jalan gajah’ (illegal routes that four-wheel drive vehicles can drive through),” he revealed.

Meanwhile, First Malaysian Infantry Division Commander Major-General Datuk Stephen Mundaw said the army was working closely with all agencies, including the state Immigration Department, to monitor the illegal routes.

“We are aware of these routes. Some are new while some have been unused. We are monitoring and observing these routes and we even know who are the people passing through as we have their photos.

“The situation is still under control. We have nine border posts along the border, excluding joint posts with our Indonesian counterpart.

“We are working hard to ensure our borders are safe and under control. We are even working through the Hari Raya celebration to ensure our border security is not compromised,” he said.