By Olivia Miwil - May 30, 2021 @ 1:15pm
TAWAU: Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) detained 21 immigrants yesterday believed to have just arrived from Indonesia by boat.
During the incident at 7.43pm, an Ops Cegah Pati enforcement unit was on patrol when they spotted the immigrants.
Its commander Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman said all of them were arrested while hiding along coastal water villages at Batu 3.5 Jalan Apas here.
Among those arrested were seven men, 11 women, two girls and a boy who had no valid documents.
"The immigrants, aged between six months and 70-years-old, were brought to the district police office for further investigations.
"The case will be investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/64," he said in a statement here.
Ahmad Fuad added Esscom and other security agencies such as the army, police and maritime enforcement would continue to tighten the borders along the Eastern Sabah Security zone (Esszone).
Among the efforts include patrolling and surveillance as well as the "Show of Force" concept to prevent the entry of immigrants from neighbouring countries.
"The Esszone community is also reminded not to abet and conspire with skippers who try to take the opportunity to smuggle either cigarettes or immigrants into the country.
"Strict action will be taken if it is found that there are parties or individuals in the community who act in abetting or protecting the immigrants."
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