By Za'im Zaini & Hj Minor Absah
Ops Bongkar apprehends seven
Article from Borneo Bulletin Sunday. Published on Sunday Jan, 28 2007
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Seven foreign nationals were apprehended yesterday morning in a recent operation dubbed Ops Bongkar 10 conducted by the Law Enforcement Section, Department of Immigration and National Registration.
The operation from 9am took two hours to complete and its targeted locations were commercial premises in Kg Lumapas, Kg Pengkalan Batu, Kg Mulaut, Kg Bebatik, Gadong, Kg Tanjong Bunot and Kg Jerudong. The operation involved 15 personnel and was led by a Chief Immigration Officer. During the raid, five locals and eight foreign nationals were issued with a special pass. The seven detained comprised of three male and two female Indonesians, one Malaysian and one Indian national.
The immigration pass of a 27-year-old female Indonesian was found to be dubious and may have been forged, as two immigration chops were suspect. It is believed that she entered the Sultanate on December 16, 2006 for what was supposed to be just 14 days.
According to her, she had given her passport to a male agent without needing to leave the country and gave $50 dollars to get the chop. She was caught while sitting at a stall in Kg Pengkalan Batu and taken to the Law Enforcement Office for further investigation.
A 47-year-old male Malaysian who held a social visit pass for 14 days was caught during the inspection, working at a shop that sells fishing equipment in Kg Tanjung Bunut.
A 47-year-old male Indian National, whose guarantee is to a restaurant he was found to be working at another during the inspection. He was also taken to the office for further investigation.
A 31-year-old female Indonesian whose guarantee is as a maid was caught working at a stall selling food and vegetables in Kg Tanjong Bunot. She was issued with a special pass and is ordered to report herself with her employer.
A 31-year-old male Indonesian whose guarantee is as a driver until November 21, 2007 was caught during the inspection and suspected of working at a restaurant in Kg Kilanas Bebatik. He was issued with a special pass and is ordered to report himself with his employer.
Another 34-year-old male Filipino whose guarantee is as a Marketing Executive with a local company valid until March 17, 2007 was caught during an inspection and suspected of selling vehicle spare parts at a commercial building in Gadong. He was issued with a special pass and is ordered to report himself with the employer.
A 28-year-old male Indonesian, whose guarantee is as a labourer at a construction company admits he works on a "freelance" basis and pays $50 to his employer. He was caught during the inspection doing work at a company that runs a glass-making workshop in Kg Mulaut Kilanas. He was also taken to the office for further investigation.
