KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Police's Internal Security and Public Order Department has seized more than RM73,000 in cash and assets in its crackdown on undocumented foreigners (Pati) so far this year.
Its director, Datuk Seri Mohd Kamarudin Md Din, said a total of 64 illegal immigrants have been arrested. Among them are 40 Indonesians, 13 Thais, 10 Myanmar nationals, and one Indian.
The cash seized from the arrests amounted to RM19,523, while other assets, including boats, engines, and cars, were valued at RM54,000.
He said the arrests were made under the Immigration Act and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom).
For the record, the Marine Police Force of Region Two, Johor, covers an area spanning from Kuala Sepang, Selangor, to Kuala Endau, Mersing, over a distance of 627 km (340 nm).
Kamarudin added that the integrated operations, which involve enforcement agencies from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Singapore, are part of the department's action plans to curb the entry of illegal immigrants from these countries.
"We will also continue the rendezvous programme to carry out partnerships, maintain patrols, and enforce operations in a planned manner, especially in the waters and coastal areas that have been identified.
"We will appoint officers as focal points to carry out actions more effectively with neighbouring countries through the Maritime Border Patrol Coordinating Group.
"We will continue to have regular meetings, especially with neighbouring countries, and educational programmes to disseminate information to the public," he told the New Straits Times.
This follows the New Straits Times report on syndicates that had taken to TikTok to openly advertise speedboat services to undocumented Indonesians in Malaysia who were looking to return home.
Previously, the Indonesian embassy stressed that it is actively working with Malaysian authorities to curb the activities of cross-border human traffickers who help transport undocumented Indonesians back to their home country.
Heightened collaboration between the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Indonesian Navy, and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency is one of the enforcement efforts to crack down on the trafficking syndicates, he said.
Earlier, the Communication Ministry announced it will take action and work with law enforcement agencies to stop the display of illegal trafficking services promoted online.
TAGS: Bukit Aman, Internal Security and Public Order Dept, Atipsom, human trafficking, syndicate, crime, NST, news