189 illegal foreign workers detained in Sarawak construction site raid

In a dawn raid between 5am and 8:30am at a construction site in Balingian, Mukah on 19 March, the Sarawak Immigration Department arrested 189 illegal foreign workers

Immigration spokesman Maspaun Bolhasan said the operation involved 72 officers led by the department's enforcement deputy chief Rosliah Kassim, in a report by Bernama.

She said the team rounded up 376 individuals comprising 158 Indonesians, 127 Chinese, 43 Indians, 37 Bangladeshi, seven Filipinos, one Sri Lankan and three locals.

"Upon inspection, 119 of the men and two women (67 Indonesians; 16 Chinese; 16 Indians; 18 Bangladeshi; and four Filipinos) were found without valid travel documents, an offence under Section 6(1)(c)Immigration Act 1959/63," she said.

She added 41 Indonesians, three Indians and two Filipinos were arrested for overstaying. 14 other Indian workers, seven Bangladeshi and the Sri Lankan were arrested for allegedly abusing their social visit passes under Article 11(7)(a) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.

Several officers sustained minor injuries in ensuing struggles with some of the foreigners who started to act aggressively in their attempt to escape, according to Maspaun.

Meanwhile, state immigration director Ken Leben who said the arrests were the biggest by far this year, attributed the success to team work and department's intelligence section.

"We will not compromise with any quarters, individuals or companies, in combating the problem of illegal foreign workers and will take stern action against those responsible including hauling them to the courts," he said.

The suspects are currently detained at the department's detention depot in Simuja near Serian town pending further investigations, according to Bernama.

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