ALOR SETAR: The Immigration Department has denied entry to 29 Pakistan nationals who arrived at Langkawi International Airport on Wednesday (Sept 4).
Kedah Immigration director Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain said his team became suspicious of the Pakistanis and subsequently deported them.
"The group, consisting of 28 men and one woman, arrived on a flight on Wednesday, claiming they were in Langkawi to participate in the ‘Tuba Cross Country Run’ in Pulau Tuba on Saturday (Sept 7).
"When detained, they were wearing sports attire and only had kurtas in their bags without any other sports gear, including running shoes.
"This was likely their strategy to conceal their true motive for coming here," he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 6).
He said after questioning, it was discovered that they had spent nearly RM2,000 each on flight tickets and other expenses, while the participation fee for the sports event was only RM45.
"The sports event organiser confirmed that no other foreign participants had registered for the event besides this group. Based on these suspicious intentions and motives, the Immigration officers at the airport counter decided to refuse their entry under Section 8(3)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, suspecting they were not genuine tourists,” he said.
"This decision was made to ensure the safety and integrity of the country. The group's modus operandi was to book a room in a budget hotel in Langkawi and purchase a return ticket to Dubai immediately after the event, raising questions about why they would leave the country right after the event," he said.
He also noted that participants in events in Langkawi usually take time to visit and explore the area before returning to their respective countries.
Meanwhile, Mohd Ridzzuan added that his team would not compromise on the entry of tourists who do not meet the country’s entry conditions.
Those found guilty can be subjected to action under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007. – Bernama
