Immigration Temporary Detention Depot

Date: 15/12/2007 [SATURDAY]
Sarawak Immigration Department has brought a proposal to the Federal Government to set up three Immigration Temporary Detention Depot in the state.
Director of Sarawak Immigration Department, Datu' Robert Lian says it will located each one in Limbang, Bintulu and Sibu under the Mid-Term Review of the Nine Malaysia Plan.
Datu' Robert told this in a press conference after the Soft Opening of Immigration Temporary Depot at Bekenu, about 30 kilometer from Miri, today.
He said the reason why Sarawak is needs another three detention depots due of the increasing number of illegal immigrant (PATI) entering the state's via entry point borders in Northern Region which have vast areas and districts normally used by smugglers.
Adds that another reason are to solved crowded problem at the prison mostly from illegal immigrant .
On the Bekenu Immigration Detention Depot which started it operation today, Datu' Robert said the first batch of detainees comprising 50 PATI will be transferred from Miri Prison to the depot on Monday.
It will able to accomodate PATI from Miri and Bintulu Division with capacity about 700 detainees.
Also present, the Director of The People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) Sarawak, Brigadier General Mohd Saiful Sungkih Abdullah and Immigration Miri Head, Encik Matthew Dominic Barin.