Sandakan – A total of 576 undocumented migrants from the Philippines were deported back to their homeland through a transfer program carried out by the Sabah State Immigration Department (JIM) on Wednesday.
According to Sabah State Immigration Director, Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof, the deportation involved 480 adult men, 24 adult women, 48 boys, and 24 girls aged between seven months and 62 years old.
All detainees were sent home from the Papar and Tawau Immigration Depots and transported via the vessel MV Antonia 1 from Sandakan Port to Zamboanga City Port, Philippines.
Datuk Sitti Saleha explained that the operation was part of ongoing efforts by the Immigration Department to ensure Sabah is not burdened by undocumented migrants.
“To date, a total of 6,215 Filipinos have been deported after completing their sentences under the law and having valid travel documents issued by their government,” she said in a statement.
She further revealed that from January until 11 September this year, a total of 7,790 illegal immigrants of various nationalities had been deported from Sabah.
This number includes 1,285 Indonesians, 181 Pakistanis, 60 Chinese nationals, 24 Vietnamese, nine Indians, three Thais, and 13 individuals of other nationalities.
At the same time, employers in Sabah were reminded to register their foreign workers under the digital data collection program introduced by the state government. This initiative aims to better manage the records and locations of foreign workers, particularly in the plantation sector.
Datuk Sitti Saleha also stressed that strict action will be taken against employers found protecting or hiring foreign workers without valid documents.
“Employers can face fines of up to RM50,000, imprisonment, and even whipping under the Immigration Act 1959/63,” she warned.
This large-scale deportation underscores the Sabah government’s continued commitment to addressing the issue of illegal immigration, while also urging all employers to comply with the law to avoid severe penalties. – Jabatan Imigresen Negeri Sabah