Two Foreigners Jump Into River To Evade Arrest
By M K Anwar & Lyna Mohammad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Two foreign workers in a desperate attempt to evade inspection jumped into a fast flowing river to escape from an Immigration raiding party Wednesday night.

The raid, which was part of “Ops Banteras 45” initiated by the Immigration Enforcement Unit, involved 31 Immigration personnel led by Tuan Jumat Haji Burut,

Acting Assistant Director of Immigration.

Fifteen foreign workers were detained during the surprise raid on seven houses and rented rooms in the Brunei-Muara and Tutong Districts. The targeted areas were Jalan Selayun, Kg Bebuloh, Kg Sungai Kelugos, Kg Kianggeh and Kg Ujong Tanjong.

The foreign workers detained during the raid were mainly Bangladeshis and Indonesians. Two of the foreign workers who jumped into the river were believed to be Indonesians. The incident happened at a squatter housing area in Kg Kianggeh. Immigration personnel were unable to pursue them due to strong currents following heavy rains that night.

Immigration personnel were, however, able to capture an Indonesian who also tried to run away from the same place. The Indonesian, who tried to resist arrest, was quickly overpowered by officers.

After a probe it was found that Saiful Huda, 26, was impersonating a person named Nur Hisyam. He was charged under 12(1) (C) of the Passport Act.

He has been detained twice before Wednesday’s raid. The first was in October 2001 when he was charged for overstaying and was given a compounded fine. In December 2002, he was again detained for overstaying and was given a jail sentence.

In Jalan Selayun, a Bangladeshi was about to make a quick getaway in his sarongs when Immigration personnel arrived knocking at his house.

Of the 15 who were taken in during the raid, eight were later released. Six Bangladeshis were charged for various Immigration offences.

Mohd Rafiqul Islam Mohd Anawerul was charged for being an illegal immigrant under 6(1) (C) of the Immigration Act. He failed to show proof of legal entry and stay in the country.

Five other Bangladeshis were charged with overstaying in the country after their work permits had expired. Zainal Husin Abd Hasem Fakri had a work permit that expired in July 1996; Abd Kashem Abd Hamid and Yousof late Nakim Uddin also had a work permit that expired in 2001 while Atar Ali Asgar Ali’s work permit had expired in February 2003. All of them were charged under 15 (1) of the Immigration Act after they didn’t have money to pay fines and air tickets.

Another Bangladeshi, Khasru Jaman Hj Ustar was compounded with B$600 fine for having an expired work permit dating back to August 2002. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin 

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