KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah State Immigration Department has intensified its enforcement efforts with a series of operations across four districts, resulting in the detention of 103 foreign nationals suspected of violating immigration laws.
The operations, carried out in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Sandakan and Tawau, were part of ongoing initiatives to curb the presence of illegal immigrants and ensure compliance with the Immigration Act 1959/63.
These actions involved both stand-alone enforcement drives and joint exercises with other agencies. In Kota Kinabalu, multiple operations, including Ops Kutip, Belanja, Jaja, Sapu and Selera, were conducted. Officers inspected 94 individuals, leading to the detention of 32 foreigners.
Those arrested included 26 Filipinos, comprising men, women and children, alongside one Indonesian man, two Pakistani men and three Indian men.
They were suspected of lacking valid documents or breaching pass conditions. Meanwhile, in Keningau, the Sweep and Collect Operation inspected 77 individuals.
Authorities detained 21 foreigners, among them Filipinos and Indonesians, including both adults and minors. The arrests highlighted the presence of undocumented families within the district.
Sandakan saw a joint enforcement operation with other agencies, where 68 individuals were checked. A total of 28 foreigners were detained, consisting of 21 Filipinos and five Indonesians.
The arrests included men, women and children, underscoring the department’s focus on family units as well as individual workers.
In Tawau, another joint operation targeted plantation and residential areas. Officers inspected 261 individuals, detaining 22 foreigners.
The group comprised 19 Filipinos and three Indonesians, with women making up a significant portion of those arrested.
The Sabah Immigration Department has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying enforcement measures across the state.
Officials stressed that these operations are essential to maintaining national security and upholding immigration laws.
They also reminded the public not to shelter, employ or assist undocumented migrants, urging citizens to report suspected illegal activities through official channels such as the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) portal and the Online Enquiry System (SPO).
Illegal immigration remains a pressing issue in Sabah, where industries such as agriculture and plantations often attract foreign workers.
While many are legally employed, authorities continue to highlight the risks posed by undocumented individuals, including exploitation, strain on resources and potential threats to public safety.
By conducting regular enforcement operations, the department aims to deter violations and reassure communities that immigration laws are being enforced consistently.
The latest series of arrests across Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Sandakan and Tawau demonstrates the scale of the challenge and the determination of enforcement agencies to address it.
