KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Immigration Department deported some 227 Indonesians back to their home country under the Illegals Deportation Programme 19th series via Tawau Port on Tuesday (Nov 12).
Sabah Immigration director Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof, in a statement here, said the detainees were from their Kota Kinabalu and Papar depots and were bound for Nunukan Port (Tunon Taka Terminal) in Indonesia.
The programme was held with the cooperation of the Kota Kinabalu Indonesian Republic Consulate General, where the illegals have committed various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
“Out of the total detainees, 107 are men, 71 women, 44 children of 12 years old and below and five minors aged from 23 months and below.
“The age group was from two months to 82 years old, where children and minors are accompanied by their parents or guardians.
“The deportation process was through Purnama Express and Labuan Express ferries,” added SH Sitti Saleha.
She added that the frequency of deportation for Indonesians who committed immigration offences conducted by their department is also subject to the Indonesian Consulate General's cooperation in expediting the documentation process for the detainees and issuing their travel documents.