SEMPORNA, May 10 — Twenty-four Chinese citizens were deported after they were detained during immigration operations in Semporna last month.

The group, comprising 23 men and one woman, were blacklisted from entering Malaysia after they were found to have violated the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.

Sabah Immigration Director Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said the deportation followed arrests made during Ops Kutip, Ops Mahir and Ops Sapu on April 21.

The operations involved the inspection of 45 people, leading to the detention of 34 foreigners for various immigration offences.

“Those detained consisted of 33 Chinese nationals — 30 men and three women — and a Pakistani man.

“They were investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,” she said in a statement, Saturday.

Investigations and subsequent prosecutions at the Tawau Sessions Court on May 4 involved nine of the Chinese citizens.

Sitti Saleha said six Chinese men charged under Regulation 39(b) pleaded not guilty and were released on court bail pending mention on June 11.

“Meanwhile, two women and a man from China faced two charges under Section 15(1)(c) and Regulation 39(b).

“All three pleaded guilty and paid the fines for the Section 15(1)(c) offence, but the court denied bail for the charge under Regulation 39(b),” she added. — Daily Express