"An operation every day".
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This is the security forces’ new motto, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed in dealing with illegal immigrants in Sabah.
He said both the federal and state governments were committed to getting rid of the large presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
He gave an assurance that the permanent committee for the management of illegal immigrants in Sabah, as well as the Working Committee on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah, would look into views and recommendations made to meet this objective.
“During the cabinet meeting on Jan 28, we agreed on the terms of reference (ToR) for both committees.
“We will be opening the doors to representatives from political parties and non-governmental organisations to allow them to give their views and input.”
Ahmad Zahid was speaking in Kota Kinabalu after handing over the letter of appointment to his co-chair partner, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman (pic), for the permanent committee for the management of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
He said among issues brought to the table included the need to speed up the verification of late birth registration and an additional temporary detention centre to meet the increasing number of detainees, following the aggressive operations by enforcement agencies.
He commended the work by enforcement agencies so far, adding that last year, 330 operations were carried out by the Immigration Department statewide.
A total of 18,049 illegal immigrants, the largest being Filipinos (14,098), had been sent home.
The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) agencies, he said, had also carried out integrated operations.
To date, 132 operations had been carried out, with 1,334 immigrants having been screened, 560 remanded and 1,987 deported to their countries of origin.
Meanwhile, Musa warned that stern action would be taken against those found harbouring, employing or protecting illegal immigrants.
He stressed that such acts were “sabotaging efforts to flush out these people from the state”.
“The enforcement agencies will not compromise and will act against individuals, employers and syndicates involved in bringing the immigrants illegally into Sabah or taking them as workers.”
Musa said from Jan 1 till Feb 10, 12 employers had been compounded and six others charged in court for offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.