Over 10,000 undocumented workers deported from Sabah since 2021, says home ministry

KUALA LUMPUR - Over 10,000 undocumented migrants were deported by the Sabah Immigration Department for various offences from 2021 to March 27, 2023.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the overall number of undocumented migrants who were deported showed a relatively high figure of 1,991 people in less than three months.

He said according to the department's statistics, there are 4,655 undocumented migrants who were still detained in four depots in the state.

"A total of 1,076 operations were carried out in 2021 with 1,881 undocumented workers and 45 employers arrested," he said.

In 2022, the Sabah Immigration Department carried out 700 operations and arrested 1,437 undocumented workers from various countries and 14 employers for various immigration offences in 2022, he added.

As for 2023, Shamsul said 265 operations were carried out with 487 undocumented workers and two employers were arrested so far.

He said this in response to a question from Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau) who asked him to state the measures taken against undocumented migrants in Sabah, especially in Tawau for causing social and security issues in the area.

He added that the department will continue to intensify their efforts to deport these undocumented migrants to their countries of origin and to negotiate with the government of Philippines and Indonesia to speed up the deportation process.