LUNDU: A joint army patrol successfully thwarted an attempt by nine foreigners to enter Sarawak illegally for employment purposes yesterday (June 19).
The First Infantry Division said a team of Malaysian and Indonesian soldiers encountered the group around 2.10 pm in Biawak, walking from the Indonesia border into the Sarawak.
All of them, aged between 20 and 49, were detained for inspection after entering via an illegal route, about 120 metres from the border.
“Further questioning found that the group was on their way to work in Sarawak.
“No prohibited or dangerous items were found on them except some cash, phones, wallets and clothes with a total value of RM8,680,” the division said.
The foreigners were then escorted to the state’s border to be deported back to Indonesia.
Since Jan 1 until June 19, the army has conducted 12 deportations involving 71 foreigners. In addition, the army assured that they are committed to tightening border control and safeguarding the state’s sovereignty from any illegal entries or cross-border crimes.
