The head of the immigration service in Jambi, Sumatra, Mat Salim, said on Saturday in view of that Jambi needs to improve monitoring of foreigners to prevent them from entering the province.
"In the past three months 40 illegal immigrants have entered the province, in their efforts to seek a political asylum " he said.
He said Jambi`s coastal area is close to South China Sea while along its coast there are also many rivers or loopholes for illegal immigrants to enter into the region.
He said the Spora Team with members from various offices concerned had to increase coordination and its performance to monitor and anticipate against the entry of illegal immigrants to the region.
He said the arrival of 48 illegal immigrants in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to the province recently proved that Jambi is vulnerable to illegal immigrants.
He believed many illegal immigrants had entered the region many times before from where they proceeded to Jakarta and later Australia which is the final destination.
He said local community members especially those living in the coastal area also need to be involved in the prevention efforts.
"Anticipation has to be taken with regard to the big number of special piers and loopholes on the eastern coast that could possibly be used by illegal immigrants," he said.
(T.M037/Uu.H-YH/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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