Raid On Vegetable, Food Stalls
By Lyna Mohamad

Bandar Seri Begawan - In an effort to curb illegal activities in the country as the nation is gearing up to celebrate the National Day, a team of Immigration Enforcement officers raided several vegetable and food stalls.

Ups Basmi 10, carried out by 30 Immigration enforcers under the leadership of its Senior Chief Immigration Officer Awg Jumat Hj Burut, began early Saturday evening and ended just before midnight.

Awg Jumat said that in view of the upcoming National Day celebrations, which some foreigners are believed to take advantage of to make a fast buck, he and his team of officers will be carrying out more of such operations to apprehend ignorant employers and foreign workers.

Targeting stalls along Jalan Lambak, Berakas to Berakas Camp, the operation rounded up 10 foreigners, comprising six men and four women who failed to produce relevant documents. They were brought to the Enforcement office for further questioning.

Five of the foreigners were later released after their respective employers produced their passports to the law enforcers while another three were issued with special passes for further screening today.

The remaining two were detained at the Bandar Police Station and will be brought to the Enforcement office. One of the foreigners was not able to produce relevant papers as he reportedly told Enforcement officers that he does not know his employer's contact number.

The other foreigner, 31-year-old Filipino man, Bernard Sta. Iglesa Basa, was found to have overstayed in the country since January 6, 2005. Basa arrived here on a visit pass last December and was given a two-week entry permit but did not return home or extend his pass after it had expired.

During the raid, Basa was reportedly seen working at one of the eating stalls owned by a local man. The owner of the stall produced his passport to the officers, which revealed he was overstaying in the country.

The local man has reportedly violated immigration rules several times and seems to be ignorant of the penalties for violating the Immigration Act. He was issued with a letter that requires him to report to the Enforcement office for further questioning.

Three more foreigners were also issued with special passes during the raid that will require them to report to the Enforcement office.

Awg Jumat warned ignorant employers and foreigners that they are liable to heavy penalties, especially employers who harbour or employ illegal immigrants, for violating the Immigration Act.

There cannot be any excuses whatsoever as the penalties have been highlighted in the media over and over again and it's disappointing to see such warnings being ignored repeatedly, he added.

He also reminded employers to let their, workers have in their possession relevant documents or a copy of their passports at all times as without those documents during raids or routine inspections, workers will be brought to the Enforcement office leading to inconveniences to both parties. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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