THE Immigration Department in Sabah has successfully repatriated 7,863 undocumented migrants so far this year, with the latest batch of 764 Filipino detainees sent home yesterday.
The Filipinos, aged between a month and 70 years, departed from Sandakan Port on the vessel MV Antonia 1, bound for Zamboanga City.
This 20th series of deportations for 2024 involved detainees held in the Papar Immigration Depot, with deportation conducted after they completed prison sentences and had documents prepared.
The department said these detainees breached immigration laws by entering Malaysia without valid passes or overstaying, falling under Section 15(1)(c) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act.
Of the total number deported this year, 5,570 were Filipinos, followed by 2,082 Indonesians and smaller numbers from Pakistan, Vietnam, China, and India.
The Immigration Department said they would maintain strict enforcement to prevent the misuse of permits, with plans to prosecute employers and premise owners found hiring undocumented workers.
Director of Sabah Immigration, Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof, urged employers to ensure legal documentation for foreign workers, as the department will intensify its enforcement to curb illegal immigration. - November 15, 2024
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