KUCHING – A surprise late-night operation by the Sarawak Immigration Department has led to the arrest of 79 foreigners involved in immigration offences at a city night club and several rented houses suspected of being used for online gambling activities.
The operation, dubbed Ops Gegar and Ops Sapu, was carried out between 11.00 pm and 2.00 am from 22 to 23 August. Enforcement teams targeted a popular night entertainment outlet in the Kuching city centre and five rented houses around Lorong Batu Kawa and Matang, which were allegedly serving as headquarters for online gambling syndicates.
According to the Enforcement Division, checks were conducted on 93 individuals, out of which 73 Indonesian men, one Vietnamese woman, and five Filipino women were detained.
“Their offences included staying in the country without valid travel documents, overstaying, and misusing visit passes,” the department said in a statement.
All those arrested are now being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 as well as the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Authorities revealed that the raids were carried out following public complaints and intelligence gathering by officers. The operation forms part of the department’s continuous crackdown against illegal immigrants (PATI) and the misuse of entry passes.
The Sarawak Immigration Department expressed its appreciation to members of the public who came forward with information and urged the community to continue cooperating with the authorities.
“This cooperation is vital to safeguard national security and sovereignty, while ensuring that Sarawak remains free from illegal activities,” the statement added. — Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia Sarawak
