277 illegals detained at two squatter colonies

KOTA KINABALU: The Immigration Department has detained 277 illegal immigrants including children from two squatter colonies in Bukit Nenas and Kingfisher.

The operation was conducted by the department on Tuesday night after receiving numerous complaints from residents at Kingfisher that the immigrants were causing a ruckus especially at night.

The detainees were among 551 immigrants who were screened and they have been brought to the temporary detention centre in Menggatal.

Prior to that, the department had also conducted a surprise spot check on foreign immigrants suspected of abusing their social visit pass to work in massage and beauty parlours.

The enforcement team detained 13 men and 16 women with Philippine passports who were suspected of breaching the conditions of their pass.

The operation was targeted on migrant workers at the Centrepoint Shopping Complex and Warisan Square.

According to a statement from the department, the modus operandi of the foreigners was to distribute leaflets at the entrance of the shopping outlets and they specifically sought potential male customers.