Indonesian Cabby Detained In KB
By Liza Mohd

Kuala Belait - These days some foreigners are pushing their luck to earn a quick buck by operating illegal taxis popularly known as "teksi sapu" despite the regular crackdowns by the immigration authorities.

Not only are teksi sapu illegal, they also jeopardise the income of licensed taxi operators and transport companies as the illegal taxis tout cheaper fares and target foreign workers.

Prior to the teksi sapu, some errant foreigners engaged in the illegal "mobile" business of selling fresh vegetables, meat and other foodstuffs from cars which targeted foreigners at construction sites and workers quarters. But the activity was easily detectable by-passers-by who in turn informed the authorities. However such activities are still going on and under close scrutiny, saidd an immigration official. Meanwhile some foreigners consider illegal taxis harder to detect and fast means to make a living while staying in a country. The -compoundable fine of $600 does not seem to deter the offenders.

Barely two weeks after two Indonesians were apprehended for providing illegal transportation service from Brunei to Kalimantan, another Indonesian national was arrested last Tuesday evening for a similar offence.

The Belait immigration enforcement officials led by Senior Immigration Officer carried out an investigation into a locally-registered vehicle allegedly used for the taxi service without the consent of the relevant authority.

The Indonesian national was arrested as he passed the Rasau toll booth in Kuala Belait on his way out of the country to head towards Pontianak, Indonesia.

Initial investigation showed that the driver is a visitor pass-holder and suspected of providing private taxi service from Brunei-Pontianak-Brunei, particularly to Indonesian nationals whom he charged a fare of between $80 and $100 each. If found guilty, the suspect could face a compound fine of $600 for breaching Regulation 9 (4) which states that a visitor pass-holder cannot engage in any job, paid or unpaid. The offence is punishable by imprisonment of not more than six months or fine of not more than $2,000, or both.

The Immigration Law Enforcement Section pledged-to continue to conduct patrols to detect immigration offenders. Any information on immigration offenders can be conveyed - via its hotlines 3331879/3341938 or 2383555/2383777. Such information provided will be kept confidential.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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