By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Feb 7: A one-year-old child was among 19 illegal immigrants (PATI) who were arrested on their way to Miri in a public bus.
A report from the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) today said the detained Indonesians comprising nine men, eight women and two children were found hiding under a chair and behind stacks of boxes during the inspection by immigration officers.
The Sarawak Immigration Department Quick Response Team during ‘Ops Serkap’ in Betong, also arrested two Sarawakians for allegedly conspiring to conduct smuggling activities.
“Investigations found that all Indonesians who were detained earlier has entered Sarawak via forest routes from Lubok Antu.
“Their entry is believed to have been managed by locals who were cooperating with an Indonesian agent with payments of around RM1,400 to RM1,600 per person,” said SDMC.
The 19 PATIs were found to have committed offenses under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Immigration Regulations and Passports Act 1966.
Meanwhile, the two Sarawakians were found to committed offenses under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. — DayakDaily
