Police personnel checking documents of the public during the operation.
KOTA KINABALU: Public information is much welcomed by the district police in its efforts to eradicate crime, the drug menace and negative social ills in the state capital, said District Police Chief ACP Habibi Majinji.
The information can be channeled via social media such as the district police’s Facebook page and also through the nearest police station, he disclosed.
“The district police has an ongoing operation to flush out criminals, illegal immigrants and eradicate social ills in the district. We therefore encourage the public to assist by providing us with information so that necessary action can be taken,” he said.
Such an operation was carried out from 2pm to 8pm on Saturday in four locations within the state capital. Police were assisted by City Hall, Immigration department, National Registration Department (NRD) and other enforcement agencies.
“The operation was focused in areas where there has been an increase in the number of illegal immigrants and criminal activities.
During the six-hour operation, we roped in 16 people, nine who were illegal immigrants and the rest were involved in criminal activities such as theft and burglary,” he said.
Those arrested were between 11 and 56 years old, Habibi disclosed, adding that the illegal immigrants would be investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 while the others will be investigated under Section 379, Section 380 and Section 457 of the Penal Code.