15 Indonesian illegal immigrants detained en route home

Fifteen Indonesian illegal immigrants were detained by the Region Two Marine Operations Force (MOF) during their attempt to exit the country through the ungazetted route in the forest area of Pantai Tanjung Lompat coast, Bandar Penawar, Kota Tinggi here, this morning.

Its commander, ACP Paul Khiu Khon Chiang said the operation which started at 2 am arrested seven men and eight women aged between 22 and 42.

"They were travelling home to Indonesia using a long boat (bot pancung) and they were brought to Bandar Penawar police station for further action," he said in a statement today.

He said the immigrants did not have any valid identification document, and had been in the country longer than the permitted period and tried to leave Malaysia illegally.

The case was investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002).

-- BERNAMA