By: Nurul Fazliana Norman
TAWAU: A total of 63 Indonesian undocumented migrants (PATI) were repatriated to their home country via the Tawau Port to Nunukan Port, Indonesia, on 6 November 2026.
The Sabah State Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) said the sea route transfer involved 59 adult men, three adult women and one girl from the Sandakan Immigration Depot using a commercial ferry.
A day earlier, four adult male Pakistani detainees from the Papar Immigration Depot were transferred by air via the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (LTAKK) to Kuala Lumpur before continuing their flight to Lahore, Pakistan.
According to JIM Sabah, four repatriation programmes were carried out throughout this week, involving 976 foreign detainees sent back to their home countries.
As of 6 November 2026, the total number of PATI detainees repatriated to their home countries reached 8,472.
Of that total, 6,165 were Filipinos, followed by Indonesians (1,959), Pakistanis (143), Chinese (142), Vietnamese (29) and another 34 from other countries.
JIM Sabah said all the detainees had completed their sentences in accordance with legal provisions and possessed valid travel documents enabling the repatriation process to be carried out.
Employers are encouraged to participate in the Sabah State Government’s digital registration programme for foreigners to ensure the presence of foreign workers, particularly in the plantation sector, is properly recorded.
JIM Sabah also stressed that firm and uncompromising action will be taken against employers who harbour foreign workers without valid permits or documents, including fines of up to RM50,000, imprisonment and caning under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Source: JIM Sabah
