Steady drop in immigration cases
By Azlan Othman

The number of immigration cases brought to court last year was 250 cases, compared to 294 cases in 2001, the Enforcement Units of the Immigration Department revealed recently. Out of 250 cases, 46 cases involved illegal immigrants charged under the Immigration Act 6 (1) C where the majority of the suspects were Malaysians, followed by Indonesians, Thais, Bangladeshis, Filipinos and Indians.

In 2001 a total of 76 cases had been reported.

A total of 81 foreigners were charged for overstaying in 2002, compared to 96 in 2001, while 12 cases of harbouring illegal immigrants were recorded last year, the same number recorded in 2001.

The number of offenders compounded last year was 652 (with compound fines totalling $340,900) compared to 852 in 2001 (with fines totalling $409,800). Altogether, 115 raids were conducted last year.

The Immigration and National Registration Department said it expelled 1,584 people from the country last year, RTB reported. The number showed an increase of 94 foreigners who overstayed and were sent to their homelands from January to March this year.

A total of the compound fines from the immigration offence acts from the year 2000 to March this year was $1,187,800.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin