KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Police will soon initiate measures to address the issue of undocumented immigrants in the region.
As reported by the Daily Express, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun has revealed that there are 538 squatter colonies in the state, with a majority of them being utilised as settlements by undocumented immigrants.
In order to tackle this issue effectively, it is crucial for us to collaborate with other relevant departments involved in this operation.
“We have already commenced preparations and will launch the operation once we have gathered all the necessary information. It is worth noting that while most of these colonies are inhabited by undocumented immigrants, some have a mixed population,” he said.
He said the authorities face significant challenges in combating undocumented immigrant trafficking due to the numerous avenues utilised for such criminal activities.
For instance, there are various routes, including the one from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu. These routes are not mere rat trails but rather farm trails that connect farms all the way to Kota Kinabalu, he said.
“This poses a considerable challenge for us, and as a result, we are appealing to farm owners to prohibit public vehicles from traversing their property. Additionally, once the state’s infrastructure is completed, we plan to establish additional checkpoints to enhance our efforts,” he said.
Furthermore, Commissioner Jauteh emphasized that members of the police force who are found to have violated their integrity or committed offenses will not receive any protection.
This underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and accountability within our ranks, he said.
