20 illegal workers arrested in Sabah by Malaysia police

According to Netral English, the Indonesian Consulate in Malaysia has confirmed dozens of illegal workers being arrested by Merin Tawau state police in Sabah on 13 April 2017.

The Indonesian Consul of Tawau Krishna Djaelani said that as many as 20 illegal workers from Indonesia were arrested by marine police officers in Malaysia when entering the country using illegitimate immigration documents.

Based on the information he has obtained, Djaelani said that the workers were found when marine police officers patrolled the waters of Wallace Bay at Sebatik Island in Malaysia using motorised boats to the Kalabakan State of Sabah in the early morning (local time). The boat was seen driving from the direction of Nunukan District, North Kalimantan to Kalabakan Negeri Sabah.

At that time, the police found 20 people including 11 men and nine women allegedly lying on a boat without using a passport.

Djaelani commented: "Yes, there is an arrest, I know there are Indonesian citizens arrested by marine police for illegally entering the territory of Malaysia from the media coverage on 13 April 2017.”

A letter has been sent to the Marin Tawau Police to meet with the arrested workers in order to provide protection. Djaelani said: “Indonesian Consulate in Tawau has requested consular access to meet the captured citizens but has not been granted access.”

Photo / 123RF