In a three-series repatriation programme started by the Malaysian government since January 2021, as many as 1,725 illegal immigrants have been deported through the Sandakan port, Sabah Immigration director Datuk Muhamad Sade Mohamad Amin has said.
“All the illegal immigrants from the Philippines have been detained at the Kota Kinabalu and Papar Immigration depots since last year (2020) and they were deported via Sandakan port to Zamboanga, Philippines. All the detained immigrants have committed various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963 and have served their sentences according to national law, to be deported from Sabah,” he said.
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Mohamad Sade added that prior to the repatriation programme, the immigrants went through a thorough health screening process, including conducting the COVID-19 test.
He also said that the Sabah Immigration Department had obtained cooperation from the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for the implementation of the third series of the repatriation programme, involving 496 people, yesterday.
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The official, meanwhile, warned foreigners wishing to enter Sabah that enforcement departments will taken strict action against those who try to enter the state without valid travel document and permission prior to entering the country. (AW)
