LABUAN – The Immigration Department (JIM) Federal Territory of Labuan detained 24 Filipino nationals, including a six-month-old baby, during an enforcement operation, Op Sapu, carried out in the early hours of Friday.
The raid, which began at 1 am, was led by KTPP Fatrick James together with a team of enforcement officers and personnel of various ranks. The operation was conducted following a four-day intelligence effort targeting two settlements believed to be occupied by undocumented foreigners around Labuan.
According to Labuan Immigration Department, a total of 71 individuals were inspected during the operation. Out of the number, 39 were foreigners, while the other 32 were Malaysian citizens.
Of those inspected, 24 Filipinos, aged between six months and 40 years, were detained under suspicion of violating Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which pertains to entering and residing in Malaysia without valid documents.
The detainees were taken to the Labuan Immigration Enforcement Division Office for documentation and further investigation. Authorities confirmed that all would undergo detailed screening before legal and deportation processes are initiated.
Labuan Immigration Department director, Raymond Entalai, stressed that enforcement operations such as Op Sapu would continue to be carried out from time to time. The goal, he said, is to ensure that illegal immigrants (PATI) are detected, arrested, prosecuted, and eventually deported.
“Strict action will also be taken against any individual, employer, or group found to be harbouring or employing illegal immigrants. The department remains committed to upholding the nation’s laws and safeguarding public safety,” Raymond said in a statement today.
The operation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by enforcement agencies in addressing the presence of undocumented migrants in Labuan, particularly from neighbouring countries.