KOTA BARU: Seven undocumented migrants who crossed into Kelantan via the Golok river in Rantau Panjang were among 75 foreigners detained by the Immigration Department in an operation yesterday.
Kelantan Immigration director Mohamed Yusoff Khan Mohd Hassan said the seven foreigners, comprising five Bangladeshis, one Myanmar national and one Indian national, were arrested at a bus station while waiting for transportation.
“We believe they were waiting for a local man, or tekong darat, who was supposed to take them to their destinations outside Kelantan,” he said.
He said the seven admitted that they had entered Malaysia through one of the illegal jetties in Rantau Panjang.
Mohamed Yusoff said the remaining 68 undocumented migrants were detained in several areas across Kota Baru and Pasir Mas.
The operation, which began at 9am, involved 38 enforcement officers from the department and other related agencies.
“In total, 75 foreigners were arrested, comprising 67 Bangladeshi men, four Indonesian men, one Indian man, one Myanmar man and two Indonesian women,” he said.
They have been sent to the Tanah Merah Immigration Depot for further investigation under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Mohamed Yusoff urged the public to share any information related to the presence of undocumented migrants or illegal foreign activities.
“Firm and uncompromising action will be taken against anyone found harbouring, facilitating or assisting undocumented migrants,” he added.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
