BINTULU – The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) Sarawak has intensified its enforcement operations in Bintulu, targeting illegal immigrants (PATI) and criminal syndicates involved in online gambling activities.
The integrated operation, carried out in the early hours of the morning, involved 32 enforcement officers from the Sibu, Miri, and Bintulu divisions. The team was coordinated under the Security Monitoring and Enforcement Unit and acted on intelligence gathered over weeks of surveillance on suspicious activities in several locations.
In Ops Sapu at 2.30 am, the first raid was launched at a kongsi house in a wood processing area. The operation led to the arrest of nine individuals, including six men and three women. Shortly after, a second raid was conducted at a house hidden in a forest area, where enforcement officers arrested 23 individuals — 13 men and 10 women — believed to be without valid travel documents.
Later, at 5.00 am, another team launched Ops Gegar on a three-storey building suspected of being used as a calling centre for online gambling activities. The raid resulted in the arrest of three foreigners.
All detainees, including those suspected of being involved in online gambling operations, were taken to the Immigration detention depot for further investigations under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Sarawak JIM stated that the operations reflect the department’s strong commitment not only to curb the influx of illegal immigrants but also to combat online gambling syndicates that threaten national security and disrupt the socio-economic stability of the country.
The department also reminded the public to provide information on suspicious activities, stressing that community cooperation is crucial in ensuring the success of enforcement operations.
This latest success highlights JIM’s proactive approach in safeguarding Malaysia from illegal immigration issues while tackling the growing problem of cybercrime-related syndicates operating in the state. – JIM Sarawak
