691 illegals repatriated to the Philippines

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SANDAKAN: A total of 691 illegal immigrants were repatriated to the Philippines via Sandakan Port to Zamboanga yesterday.

According to the secretary of the National Security Council, Datuk Rodzi Md Saad, from the total, 425 were men, 161 women, 49 boys and 57 girls aged from one month to 70 years old.

“This brings the number of illegal immigrants who have been deported from January 2018 up to this date to 3,036 people. The total includes 80 other immigrants from Pakistan, China and Korea who were repatriated to their respective native land via airplanes,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

Rodzi said the continuous effort to deport illegal immigrants by the National Security Council proves that the State Government is serious in curbing the illegal immigrants issue.

“Therefore, I would like to remind the public that it is a serious offence to harbour or hire illegal immigrants as well as allowing illegals into their premises under the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002).

“Members of the public who commit the offence can be fined not less that RM5,000 but not more than RM30,000 or jailed not exceeding 12 months, or both, for each illegal immigrant that they hire,” he said.

The government and the National Security Council (Sabah) are always acting in line with national law and are in compliance with the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) set out in this matter.

The National Security Council will always strive to make Sabah achieve its goal of zero illegal immigrants and will not compromise with any party for the safety and prosperity of the people.