SANDAKAN: June 29, 2026 – A total of 44 undocumented immigrants from the Philippines were detained in an enforcement operation carried out by the Sabah state branch of the Malaysian Immigration Department through Ops Sapu in the Sandakan district on 27 June.
According to the Immigration Department, checks revealed that the 44 foreign nationals were suspected of committing various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Of those detained, 10 were adult males, 11 adult females, 11 male children and 12 female children – all of whom were Filipino citizens.
Preliminary investigations found that all individuals failed to produce valid travel documents or passes to remain in the country.
