Mass deportations from Malaysian Borneo to begin in August
Updated
Malaysia plans to deport 150 thousand mostly Filipino and Indonesian illegal migrants from Borneo island in a massive operation to begin in August.
Deputy prime minister Najib Razak says foreigners found without legal visas in Sabah, a Malaysian state on the northern tip of Borneo, would be sent home.
The deportations will be carried out by police, immigration authorities and a controversial volunteer squad, RELA, which has been blamed for human rights abuses in the past.
The cabinet has approved 15 and a half million-dollars to fund the operation and Mr Najib says it would be an ongoing programme until the state is clear of illegal migrants.
