75 Indonesians held after immigration swoops down on five locations

KUCHING: A construction-site workers’ quarters yielded the biggest haul with 66 Indonesians nabbed as Immigration officers rounded up 75 during a two-day enforcement operation across the city.

The detainees, comprising 62 men and 13 women, were picked up during ‘Ops Belanja’, ‘Ops Selera’ and ‘Ops Sapu’ from Oct 6 to 7.

The Sarawak Immigration Department said the operations involved 28 enforcement personnel who inspected five locations.

At the construction site near No. 6 The Northbank, 66 Indonesians were detained after 105 people were screened.

Officers also inspected several eateries around Kuching City Mall Commercial Centre, where some of those checked were found to have allegedly committed immigration offences.

The suspected offences fall under Section 15(1)(c) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155).

Two witness summonses were also issued to assist with further investigations.

The department said it would continue conducting integrated and sustained enforcement operations to ensure compliance with immigration laws, particularly concerning the presence and employment of foreign nationals in the state.

Members of the public and employers were urged to ensure that foreign workers have valid immigration documents and passes.

The foreigners being rounded up by immigration enforcement officers during the two-day operation.