KUCHING: A Special Branch officer was arrested for cross-border human trafficking involving illegal immigrants recently.
Sarawak Commissioner of Police Datuk Aidi Ismail said the arrest was made by the State Immigration Department in an operation at Tebedu, Serian about two weeks ago.
At the time of the arrest, the officer was caught together with two Indonesians without valid travel documentations.
“The officer is still under the custody of the Immigration Department to facilitate investigation. We take this matter very seriously and will also conduct an internal investigation.
“We have also ordered all police chiefs stationed nearby the Kalimantan borders to monitor their men to not collude in the cross-border human trafficking of illegal immigrants,” he said this when met by reporters after the pinning of ranks ceremony and presentation of excellence service certificate awards at the Sarawak district police headquarters here, yesterday.
Aidi stressed that police are closely monitoring the entry of illegal immigrants at the Kalimantan borders, who mostly enter the country to work at plantation estates.
He added at the moment, enforcement agencies comprising the General Operations Force (GOF) and Malaysia Armed Forces (ATM) have managed to arrest and deport these illegal immigrants through numerous successful operations.
Separately, Aidi also gave a stern warning to the public to not spread unverified news on Covid-19 in Stutong. However, no report has been lodged yet in relation to a similar allegation posting in Kubah Ria.
“A police report has been lodged in relation to the fake news on Covid-19 and an investigation is now being carried out,” he noted.
