Johor Baharu, Oct 31 – Some Indonesians with permanent resident (PR) status are working hand-in-glove with human trafficking syndicates to facilitate the influx of illegal immigrants from their country of origin into Malaysia.
The Johor Immigration Department stumbled on this, following the arrest of several land ‘skippers’ comprising Indonesians with Malaysian PR status in several of its recent operations.
Its assistant director, Masri Adul, said their involvement helped the syndicates not only because they were more familiar with areas in Malaysia but also because of their knowledge on local culture and language.
He noted that in several of the department’s operations in the state, several ‘land skippers’ comprising Indonesians with Malaysian PR status were detained to facilitate investigations.
“Their knowledge on the local environment is useful to the syndicate members to enable them to escape from enforcement agencies.
“This is an act of betrayal to the country which has given them (Indonesians with Malaysian PR) so much.
“As such, the government has every right to strip those involved, of their PR status as their actions are a threat to the country.
“They are not grateful to the country which has given them PR status. Instead, they take part in crime,” he told Bernama in an interview at his office.
Masri noted that the main motive for their involvement besides the lucrative money, was to help illegal immigrants from their country of origin.
He said the state immigration department cooperated with other enforcement agencies to eradicate human trafficking, which included tightening security at locations identified as ‘hot spots’.
Masri said the Johor’s coastal area was the main gateway for the trafficking of illegal immigrants due to close proximity with several Indonesian islands.
“I estimate 70 per cent of Indonesians who enter Malaysia illegally use the Johor coast.
“Our closeness to the Indonesian islands and the long stretch of coastal area make it difficult for us to effectively curb human trafficking activities,” he disclosed.
The boat ride from Sungai Rengit to Pulau Batam only took 30 minutes, he said, adding that the department had identified 18 ‘rat trails’ (illegal routes) in Johor’s east coast used by the syndicates.
However, Masri said the syndicate frequently changed these ‘rat trails’ to make it more difficult for local enforcement agencies to fight them.
-Bernama
