SANDAKAN: A total of 441 illegal immigrants were repatriated to their native land, the Philippines via Sandakan Port to Zamboanga, yesterday.
According to National Security Council secretary Datuk Rodzi Md Saad, the illegals comprised 254 men, 138 women, 25 boys and 24 girls between one month and 63 years old.
“This brings the number of illegal immigrants who have been deported to their countries from January 2018 up to now to 3,477 people, including 80 other illegal immigrants from Pakistan, China and Korea,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Rodzi said the effort to deport all these illegal immigrants was continuously carried out by the National Security Council which proved that State Government was serious to curb the illegal immigrants issue.
“Therefore, I would like to remind the public that harbouring or hiring illegal immigrants is a serious offence under under the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002).
“Members of the public found committing 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 hired,” he said.
He said the government and the National Security Council (Sabah) were always acting in line with national law and were in compliance with the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP).
“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 Sabah people,” said Rodzi.