13 suspected illegal immigrants detained in Semporna

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SEMPORNA: A total of 13 people suspected of being illegal immigrants (PATI) were detained in a special Op Gasak Laut (OGL) operation by Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) at Pondohan, Silungun Island near here, yesterday.

ESSCom commander DCP Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the operation from 2.30pm to 8.30pm stopped several boats and checked 33 individuals.

He also said a total of 13 individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants, aged between 16 and 55, were detained for not having valid identification documents.

“All the detainees are citizens of the Philippines.

They were detained for not having valid identity documents or have identification documents questionable under Section 6 (1) (c) and Section 15 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 (Amendment 2002) and the Immigration Regulations 1963,” he said.

“They are being held at temporary detention centres for documentation purposes before being deported to their home country,” he said in a statement here, yesterday.

He said the OGL that was launched by ESSCom was part of the drastic measures taken to curb kidnappings targeting businessmen and tug boats and deep sea fishing entrepreneurs for hostage.

“ESSCom will tighten security at Sabah’s east coast, especially in areas suspected to be the target of cross-border criminals,” he said.

“I ask all deep sea boat operators in Sabah east coast area to comply with police instructions to install the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to help security forces monitor and track the movements of boats, and can act quickly if any untoward incidents happen,” he said.

“The crew of a tug-boat should be sensitive to the environment and not to be complacent.

“Should you detect any suspicious people approaching your boat, report directly to the ESSCom operations centre for enforcement action and interception,” he said.

Wan Abdul Bari also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all the agencies involved, such as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) that made the operation a success.