Sabah repatriates 4,750 undocumented migrants

Malaysia's Sabah immigration department has repatriated 4,750 undocumented migrants this year, with Filipinos making up the largest group at 3,008, followed by Indonesians at 1,478, Pakistanis at 118, Chinese at 109, Vietnamese at 18, and the remaining 19 individuals from various nationalities, according to a recent statement. The repatriation program also includes a recent transfer involving 144 Indonesian nationals, transported via a commercial ferry, comprising 107 adult men, 26 adult women, four boys, and seven girls.

All were released after serving their sentences for various offenses and obtaining valid travel documents in lieu of a passport. The department further reported that Malaysia and the Philippines have been discussing measures to expedite the repatriation of over 5,000 undocumented Philippine migrants currently held at four immigration depots in Sabah.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan stated that the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur has identified more than 1,000 Filipinos ready for immediate deportation either by sea or alternative means. The detention centers are no longer able to accommodate such a large number of detainees, following the 9th Malaysia-Philippines Joint Commission Meeting in Manila.