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By: Nurul Fazliana Norman
KOTA KINABALU: August 18, 2026 – A total of 64 foreign nationals were detained by the Sabah Immigration Department (JIM) during enforcement operations conducted in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau recently for suspected various immigration offences.
In Kota Kinabalu, under Ops Selera, 38 individuals were inspected with seven foreign nationals detained, comprising six Filipinos and one Pakistani national.
Meanwhile, in Sandakan, Ops Bersama and Ops Kutip inspected 145 individuals and detained 28 foreign nationals, involving 21 Filipinos, seven Indonesians and three Indians.
In Tawau, Ops Kutip and Ops Belanja inspected 66 individuals with 29 foreign nationals detained, consisting of five Filipinos and 24 Indonesians.
All of them were detained for suspected offences including not possessing valid travel documents or passes and breaching pass conditions under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The Sabah Immigration Department said enforcement operations will continue to be stepped up from time to time to curb the presence of undocumented immigrants and ensure compliance with the country’s immigration laws.
Source: Sabah Immigration Department
