Operation Targets Immigration Offenders
By P. Marilyn and Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - Nineteen officers led by the Senior Chief Immigration Officer from the Law Enforcement Section, Department of Immigration and National Registration conducted its latest "Ops Berkas 101 " in its efforts toensure that foreign nationals are abiding by the immigration laws.

The raid, which was carried out last Monday night, lasted until the wee hours of the morning. Six locations were targeted, including rented houses and rented rooms, at Mukim Pangkalan Batu, Kg Tanah Jambu, Kg Sungai Hanching and Kg Berangan in the capital.

In the operation, five special passes were issued and nine suspects were detained for failure to provide valid documents. Those who were detained comprised eight Indonesian men and one man of Indian nationality.

The 25-year-old Indian national did not have any documents on him, and the data from the Department of Immigration showed that his immigration pass expired on December 19,-2005.

He was caught during an inspection of workers quarters at Kg Batong Panchor Murai. Enforcement officers had to break open the gate chains to enter the premises. The Indian suspect was residing with three other Indonesian men. He is temporarily detained at the Bandar Seri Begawan police station.

His employer is being called up for investigation. The employer could be charged with harbouring an immigration offender.

Meanwhile, an Indonesian man, aged 34, did not have any documents on- him. Based on the data from the Department of Immigration, he has overstayed in Brunei since August 16, 2006. He was caught at a rubbish disposal area in Kg Bengkurong. He was detained temporarily at the BSB Police Station.

Meanwhile, two other Indonesian men are still under investigation and waiting for their employers to bring their passport to the Law Enforcement Section. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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