10 CHINESE NATIONALS HELD IN LABUAN IMMIGRATION OPERATION

LABUAN, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- The Labuan Immigration Department detained 10 Chinese nationals during an enforcement operation on several residential premises here yesterday.

'Ops Sapu’, involving 18 enforcement officers and led by Fatrick James, was conducted at four housing areas across the duty-free island from around midnight to 1.30 am, following public tip-offs and intelligence gathered by the department.

Its director, Raymond Entalai, said that  20 Chinese nationals - 15 men and five women - were inspected during the operation, with 10 of them detained under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) for not having valid travel documents or passes.

“During the inspection, several individuals tried to flee through the rear entrance of their premises, but all suspects were apprehended without any untoward incident,” he told Bernama when contacted today.

Raymond said four summonses were also issued to witnesses to assist in the investigation, adding that the 10 detainees were taken to the Labuan police lock-up.

He added that the department would continue to carry out enforcement operations to detect, arrest, prosecute and deport foreign nationals who violate Malaysian laws under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.

He also reminded the public and employers not to harbour or hire illegal immigrants, and urged those with information on undocumented migrants or immigration-related offences to contact the department.

-- BERNAMA