By: Zaidul Khair bin Jungkim
KOTA KINABALU: Sept 22, 2026 – A total of 61 undocumented Filipino migrants were repatriated to their home country by sea from the Tawau Immigration Depot to Bongao Port in the Philippines.
The detainee transfer programme was carried out by the Sabah Malaysian Immigration Department through the Lahad Datu ICQS using a commercial ferry.
The group comprised 43 adult men, nine adult women, four boys and five girls aged between six and 65. The children were accompanied by their parents or respective guardians throughout the transfer process.
To date, 5,294 undocumented migrant detainees have been repatriated. Of that total, 3,516 are Filipinos, 1,488 Indonesians, 120 Pakistanis, 127 Chinese, 21 Vietnamese and 22 from other countries.
“All detainees had completed their sentences under the stipulated legal provisions. They also possessed valid Travel Documents (TD) to undergo the repatriation process,” the statement said.
The Sabah Malaysian Immigration Department urged the public not to harbour or employ undocumented migrants.
Any information on undocumented migrants can be reported to the Sabah Immigration Department via the SISPAA portal.
Source: Sabah Immigration Department
