Hunt Goes On For Workers On The Sly
By M K Anwar & Azaraimy HH

Bandar Seri Begawan - Thirty personnel from the Enforcement Section of the Immigration Department led by Senior Chief Immigration Officer, Tuan Jumat bin Haji Burut on Tuesday night initiated one of their lightning raids on several areas in the Brunei Muara and Tutong districts.

For 2004, all of its operations will fall under the codenamed of `Buru'. Fittingly with the name which means `hunt', it is the continuations last year's immigration operation under codename "Banteras" the newest instalment of operations will see Immigration personnel continuing to hunt any immigration offenders who have eluded them.

Some of the areas targeted during the raid were Kg Lamunin, Kg Bunut and Jerudong.

Immigration personnel hauled in 11 foreigners who were unable to produce any travel documents. Immigration is also hot on the heels of some foreigners on the wanted list, many whom are illegal immigrants and those possessing no legal immigration documents.

Four Bangladeshi overstayers were netted in Subok during the night raid starting at 9pm till 2am. All of them were given compound fines. A Bangladeshi employment agent found there is currently being investigated by Immigration for fraud.

An Indonesian man meanwhile was found to be an illegal immigrant after he was caught in Kg Bunut. He was charged in court yesterday and was fined B$2,000 or 2 months' jail in default. Another Indonesian found with him is currently under investigation and could face charges for harbouring an illegal.

A Malaysian man was al so found without his immigration documents in Lamunin. He was actually involved in a police case and was given a special pass. Investigations have revealed that the police case has already finished some time ago. He faces deportation for overstaying his luck.

Others who were detained were released yesterday. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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