TWENTY-four Chinese nationals were deported from Sabah in the latest immigration crackdown aimed at curbing the state's undocumented migrant population.
The group, all men aged between 31 and 64, left the country via Tawau Airport on October 29, 2024, and were repatriated to Guangzhou, China.
The men had been detained at the Tawau Immigration Depot for violating Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which pertains to overstaying and other immigration offences.
Most were fined RM10,000 each before being deported. Four individuals were exempted from the penalty due to their advanced age, according to officials.
The Sabah Immigration authorities have deported 34 Chinese nationals, while a total of 256 foreign nationals were removed from the state this year alone.
Sabah Immigration Department Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof confirmed that these latest repatriations are part of a broader effort that has resulted in the deportation of 6,873 illegal immigrants from Sabah in 2024.
The figures include 4,925 adult males, 1,159 adult females, 450 boys, and 339 girls.
Most of those deported were from the Philippines (4,805), followed by Indonesia (1,855), with smaller numbers repatriated to Pakistan, Vietnam, China, and other nations.
"All deportees were found to have breached Malaysian immigration laws, and their removal was carried out in cooperation with their respective embassies," said Sitti Saleha, adding that delays in cooperation from foreign embassies often result in prolonged detention for migrants at holding centres.
The department also issued a stern warning to employers, reminding them that all foreign workers in Sabah must hold valid work permits.
Tourists entering the state on social visit passes were also cautioned against overstaying or misusing their permits, with offenders facing prosecution and a potential re-entry ban to Sabah and Malaysia. - October 30, 2024
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