KUCHING: A joint patrol by the Malaysian Army (TDM) and the Indonesian National Army (TNI-AD) successfully intercepted and expelled eight illegal immigrants attempting to cross the Malaysia-Indonesia border on Aug 10.
Maj-Gen Datuk Mohamed Fauzi bin Kamis, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said the incident occurred near Pos GABMA Biawak, approximately 200m from the Indonesian border, where the patrol unit encountered the group around 11.35am.
“The patrol team, consisting of personnel from both TDM and TNI-AD, detained the eight individuals, all of whom were found to be en route to seek work in Malaysia.
“Following thorough inspections, no prohibited or dangerous items were found in their possession. The items they carried, including cash, mobile phones, wallets, and clothing, were estimated at RM6,196 of value,” he said.
The detained individuals, aged between 18 and 48, were subsequently escorted back to the border, and a police report was filed at the Lundu Police Station to ensure the expulsion was conducted in accordance with current regulations.
He noted that this latest action marks the 22nd expulsion operation conducted in 2024, involving a total of 165 illegal immigrants.
He reaffirmed TDM’s commitment to maintaining strict border control to protect Malaysia’s sovereignty from illegal immigration, smuggling, and cross-border crime.