Malaysian Army patrols intercept 21 Indonesians, including a child, attempting to enter Sarawak illegally near Lundu, seizing goods worth over RM10,000.
KUCHING: The Malaysian Army has deported 21 Indonesian nationals for attempting to cross the border into Sarawak illegally.
The group, which included a four-year-old child, was intercepted during a patrol operation in the Lundu sector yesterday afternoon.
Those arrested comprised 17 women and four men aged between four and 48.
Army forces detected suspicious movement from the Indonesian border towards Malaysian territory.
A swift raid was conducted about 800 metres inside Malaysia, preventing the group from escaping.
Initial inspections found most of the individuals did not possess valid travel documents.
It is believed their purpose was to seek employment and obtain goods without using authorised checkpoints.
Operational forces also seized various goods worth RM10,637, including 19 smartphones.
Safety checks confirmed none of the detainees were carrying firearms or dangerous materials.
All 21 individuals were deported to Indonesia through the nearest border on the same day.
A police report was filed at the Lundu district police headquarters regarding the foiled intrusion.
