THE Sabah Immigration Department deported 46 undocumented Indonesian nationals, including five women, via the Francis Express ferry from Tawau to Nunukan, Indonesia, on November 29.
The group, aged between 18 and 74, had been detained at the Sandakan Immigration Depot for overstaying and illegal entry under Sections 15(1)(c) and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“This marks the 21st deportation exercise for 2024, bringing the total number of Indonesians repatriated by sea this year to 2,651,” said Sabah Immigration Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof.
She added that the department has deported 7,927 undocumented migrants of various nationalities in 2024, all of whom have been blacklisted from re-entering Malaysia.
Sh Sitti Saleha said the frequency of deportations depends on travel document issuance by the Indonesian Consulate in Malaysia.
“We will not tolerate foreign nationals who misuse their passes or permits. Employers hiring undocumented migrants will face prosecution,” she stressed.
She advised employers to follow proper legal channels when hiring foreign workers and assured that enforcement operations against undocumented migrants will continue. - November 30, 2024
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