Claims of 300,000 illegal immigrants in Sarawak untrue

Despite strong denials, the Home Ministry launched the first Ops Bersepadu Sarawak operation three weeks ago to keep the situation in check.

SERDANG: A report which claimed that there are 300,000 illegal immigrants in Sarawak is not true, said Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said there was really no accurate statistics, specifically from the Malaysian Immigration Department and police, over the number of illegals in the biggest state in Malaysia.

“I strongly deny the claim that there are 300,000 illegal immigrants in Sarawak. It is not true,” he told reporters after attending the Immigration Department’s Excellent Service Awards at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang, here yesterday.

Although the entry of foreigners was under control, the Home Ministry has implemented Ops Bersepadu Sarawak to eradicate illegal immigrants, he said.

The first Ops Bersepadu Sarawak operation three weeks ago revealed that illegal immigrants came from various destinations including Indonesia and the Philippines.

He said the operation also stressed on efforts to prevent illegals from establishing themselves by opening up new land and building permanent homes in the state.

“The operation will be continued until the problem of illegals can be prevented from worsening,” said Wan Junaidi who also chairs the operation committee.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Malaysian Immigration Department deputy director Hamfatullah Syawal Hamdan, who was met later, said the department’s intelligence had identified only about 100,000 illegals in the state.

“Hotspots or the focus of their locations have also been identified,” he said without divulging details.

- BERNAMA