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2nd September, 2010
KENINGAU: The authorities have stepped up its operations against illegal immigrants in the district.
In an integrated sting, the authorities led by police nabbed 80 illegal immigrants during a two-hour operation in town on Tuesday.
District police chief DSP Zahari Mohamed said 15 of them were released after they produced their documents which were verified by the immigration department.
“We detained 22 Filipinas and 58 Indonesians during the operation,” he said adding that those who did not have papers were handed over to the immigration for further action.
According to him, these illegals were a threat to security and some even accosted local girls in town.
“From what we gathered, some of the foreigners who are jobless will loiter in town and their presence is a threat,” he said.
Zahari said that the authorities would step up its operations against illegal immigrants who may have gone into hiding.
He admitted that many of the foreigners had entered the State with passport but decided to remain to find work.
He urged employers not to hire foreigners without work permit to work which is an offence.
“As for villagers, they must cooperate with us to stamp out the presence of illegal immigrants in their neighbourhood,” he said.
Village headmen must be mindful that the presence of illegal immigrants in their neighbourhood was a threat.
“The security of villages will be put at risk as these immigrants may resort to crime to earn a living,” Zahari said.
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