Unending raids net more illegals

A Thai National, seen here in the arms of the law after a long chase during yesterday's 'Ops Benteras II', was a runaway worker hiding and working in Brunei with an expired working pass since 1999. He was charged under section 15 (1).

The raid was a resounding success and the department said more raids will be conducted till no immigration violators are left standing.

Last year, the department conducted more than 1,000 raids. Suspected residential areas have often been the main targets of raids conducted by the enforcers here.

Last night's operation involving some 30 uniformed enforcers raided seven residential premises suspected to harbour overstayers and runaway workers. The raids took place at various parts of the capital.

The targeted areas were Limpaki Mulaut, Ban 4 Mulaut / Kilanas, Kg Tanjung Bunut, Kg Beribi, Kg salambigar, Kg Delima Satu and Seng Garden, Lambak.

During the raid, two of the nine suspects made a dash for the bushes hoping to disappear into the night but they were nabbed after long chases.

Nine suspects of Indonesian, Indian, Thai and Bangladeshi nationality were successfully caught for suspected illegal stay. Two foreigners, an Indian and Bangladeshi, were released while the remaining seven were remanded at the police station.

Yesterday morning, a further screening was done and one was released. While two were compounded and four brought to court.

Thai national, Suphan Bualai, 32, was found to had been issued a special visa pass which expired May 2000.

Since then he had not once reported to immigration and produce a return air ticket. He was compounded under section 15 (1) and is to pay up $600 within a week.

Rabiul Hoque Nurul Islam, a Bangladeshi, only had an expired work pass. He too was compounded $600 under section 15(1) and is to pay within four days. If both fail to do so, they will be brought to court and charged.

Four were prosecuted yesterday, Niran Yotham (47), a Thai National was a runaway worker hiding and working with an expired working pass since 27/12/1999. He was charged under section 15 (1).

During the raid, he was apprehended but only after a long chase in the woods next to the Supasave parking lot.

Feruz Ahammad Anwar Ali (35) of Bangladesh was charged for direct violation of section 6 (1)(c). He too tried to abscond but was apprehended after another long chase in Kg Tanjung Bunut.

Slamet (46), an Indonesian with expired work pass since 21/10/02 and Vella Khamy Balamurun (34), an indian with expired working pass since 15/11/2002, were both charged under section 15(1).