Immigration violators nabbed in raid
By M K Anwar

Document inspection by immigration personnel

Thirty-two immigration officers headed by Acting Assistant Director of Immigration, Tuan Jumat bin Haji Burut conducted the operation codenamed "Ops Benteras 23" on Monday night. Twenty-two people were detained in their latest effort to filter out immigration violators. The night raid targeted four areas in Mulaut, Kg Lambak Kiri, Beribi and Kg Kianggeh. The operation concentrated on routine inspection of foreigners working in the Sultanate. Those who failed to show or prove the validity of their working pass and other travel documents will be reprimanded for further inspection.

All the targeted area included workers barracks and rented houses. Twenty people from Indonesia, Bangladesh, India and Thailand were detained after failing to provide the necessary immigration documents. A Thai woman was among the ones detained.

Eighteen people were later released after further investigation while four were still remanded at the BSB Police Station for further screening.

From the four, a Bangladeshi, Shah Alam Rafique was found to have run away from his employer and his work permit has already expired. He was caught in the previous raid and was asked to report back to the Immigration Department. But he failed to do so and was again caught on Monday night's operation in Mulaut.

He is currently locked up at the BSB Police Station and will be sent back to Bangladesh tomorrow. The other suspects were released yesterday.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin