Ten Foreigners Held In Latest Raid
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - Ten foreign nationals were apprehended yesterday for failing to produce valid documents in an operation conducted by Law Enforcement Section, Department of Immigration and National Registration.

The latest in a series of operations by the department was codenamed 'Ops Berkas 95 ' and was held from 9am onwards yesterday. The raid was lead by Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Law Enforcement Section and involved 18 personnel. Targeted locations were commercial premises at Mukim Sengkurong, Mukim Gadong and Mukim Berakas.

During the operation, seven special passes and two summon letters were issued. The ten foreign nationals detained comprised an Indonesian man and woman, two Filipino women, a Malaysian and five Indian nationals.

Adelina Rojas Tomocon, a Filipino national who possesses a visit pass valid till September 13, was held on suspicion of working at an unnamed shop that provides long-distance overseas telephone calls in Sengkurong. The logbook of the shop was confiscated as evidence.

The suspect denied working there at first, however after presented with evidence and information, she admitted to working there for two days. According to her, the business is run by a Bangladeshi man. The employer has been identified and is wanted for further investigation.

Filipino Annalyn Lgnacio Castro, Suhartatik, an Indonesian woman, and Zulkifli bin Zakaria, a Malaysian man, were found working at a cafe in Berakas while holding a visitors pass.

All suspects were taken to the Enforcement Section Office, Department of Immigration and National Registration for further investigations.

An inspection at a hair saloon in Gadong revealed that Aradia Jamjaly Nuddin, a Filipino woman who holds a visit pass, was working at the saloon. She was issued a special pass.

Three others are still under investigation for working for another employer as well as doing work that is not stated in their work pass.

Two male suspects found working as construction workers admitted to working on a `freelance' basis. According to them, they were forced to pay $50 a month as `guarantees' to their employers. They also revealed that they have no knowledge of the rules and regulations of this country.

Employers of the immigration offenders are currently under investigation and if found guilty, legal action will be taken.

Meanwhile, another operation conducted Tuesday night netted seven foreign nationals. The operation, 'Ops Berkas 94', began at 7.30pm and ended at 11.30pm. It was led by Senior Chief Immigration Officer from the Law Enforcement Section and involved 20 personnel. Targeted locations were rented houses at Kg Madewa and Kg Mulaut.

During the operation, six special passes were issued and seven foreigners were detained at the Bandar Seri Begawan Police Station. The six comprised a Filipino man, a Thai national and four Bangladeshis.

A special pass was also issued to Evelyn Banga Fetalbeno a Filipino woman, who holds a visit pass valid till September 14. She was found sewing clothes at a rented room at Kg Tasek Meradun. Enforcement officers also discovered three other sewing machines, which the suspect said were rented.

Andrew Gomez, a Bangladeshi man was found without any valid documents. According to data from the enforcement section, his work pass had expired five days ago. The suspect was caught sleeping while four of his friends were found gambling during an inspection at a rented room in Kg Mutant. He was taken to the Enforcement Section Office and issued a compound fine of $100.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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