26 Foreign Workers Detained In Raid
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - Twenty-six foreign nationals were detained Tuesday night in the latest raid conducted by the Law Enforcement Section,- Department of Immigration and National - Registration.

The raid, codenamed'Ops Berkas 109', targeted rented rooms and houses of foreign workers in Kg Lumapas, Kg Sengkurong, Kg Sungai Akar and a flat in Kg Sungai Kianggeh. The operation, which was co-led by Assistant Director of Immigration and Senior Chief Immigration Officer, involved 26 personnel.

In the operation, one special pass was issued. The 26 foreign workers that were detained comprised four Bangladeshi men, 20 Indonesian men and two Indonesian women.

Three of the Indonesian men detained were aged 21, while another two were 23 and 38-years-old. All were found without documents during the inspection at a workers housing area near the rubbish disposal centre in Jalan Sg Akar.

Investigations revealed that their immigration passes expired on October 11. The passes were kept by a 'manager' and had not been renewed. The manager, a local lady, is currently under investigation. If found guilty, the workers can be imposed a compound fine of $600.

Another 24-year-old Indonesian man was detained, as he had no documents on him during an inspection at a rented room in Kg Sungai Kianggeh, and was taken to the BSB police station. According to him, his passport had been given to a `local male agent' whom he paid $40 to handle the matter. However, computer data at the Immigration Department revealed that his immigration pass had expired on October 13.

A 36-year-old Indonesian woman was found without any documents during an inspection of a room at a food stall in Kg Lumapas. She was detained and taken to the BSB police Station. According to her, she gave her passport to an `agent' to obtain an immigration pass. Initial investigations revealed that her immigration pass expired three months ago. However, her case is still under investigation.

Meanwhile, six other-Indonesians including an Indonesian woman are still under investigation. Their data is being compared with the section's computer data, while some are waiting for their employers to produce their passports.

During an inspection on a rented room in Kg Sengkurong Jerudong , Immigration Officers found drug paraphernalia inside a cigarette pack stashed inside a hole in the living room. The items are suspected to have been used for consuming 'Syabu'. However, the owner of the equipment has not been found and the room was being used by four Bangladeshis at the time. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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