Tanah Merah residents express concern over escapees from nearby immigration depot

In Tanah Merah, Kelantan, residents are expressing deep concern over the recent escape of 10 undocumented migrants from an immigration depot near their town. Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat has confirmed the incident, stating that the police are actively investigating the matter after receiving an alert from the state immigration department. The escape occurred around 3am this morning, according to Yusoff, and a lockdown operation has been issued in the surrounding area to recapture the escaped migrants.

The news has caused unease among the local community, particularly as the detention depot is located approximately 10km from Tanah Merah village. Norizam Mustapa, a 60-year-old resident, expressed worry about the potential threat posed by the escaped migrants hiding in the vicinity. He urged villagers and those in surrounding areas to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities if they come across any suspicious individuals.

Restaurant worker Habibah Yakob, 56, also shared her concerns over the incident. As someone who works in a restaurant open to the public, she fears that the escaped migrants may venture to the restaurant area, potentially posing a threat to her and her co-workers, three of whom are women. Habibah hopes that the authorities will intensify their search operation to locate and recapture all those who escaped from the depot.