Soldiers watch over the six illegal immigrants, who had earlier attempted to enter Sarawak illegally via Tebedu.
KUCHING (June 15): Fourteen illegal immigrants had been ordered to return to their home country throughout the implementation of Op Benteng since June 1.
The First Infantry Division, in a statement yesterday, said the latest interception was reported at 10.30am on June 12, where troops stationed at Ladang Dafa Sector apprehended three individuals known to be Indonesians.
“They were stopped while heading to the border, at around 2km from Malaysia
“They were then ordered to return to their home country,” said a First Infantry Division spokesman.
Meanwhile, the highest number of illegal immigrants apprehended by the troops was during an operation that took place at the Tebedu Sector, at 1.15am on June 11.
Six foreigners, including a woman, were rounded up.
“They were later ordered to head back to their home country,” said the spokesman.
The First Infantry Division pointed out that various excuses and tactics had been used by the immigrants to sneak into Malaysia, including their claim of desperately looking for work due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in their home country.
“Members of the Malaysian Armed Forces are committed to shouldering the responsibility of continuing this Op Benteng initiative in preventing illegal immigrants from sneaking into Sarawak, as well as putting a stop to cross-border criminal activities.
“The Armed Forces are always ready to stand guard and be alert at any given time, and we will not compromise with anyone attempting to commit any crime, including entering this country illegally,” said the First Infantry Division spokesman.