Labor traffic a two-way street

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The border city of Nunukan has been preoccupied with not only stopping Indonesians from illegally crossing into Malaysia, but also keeping Malaysians from entering Indonesia illegally in search of employment.

The Immigration Office in Nunukan is currently detaining 20 Malaysians, including nine women, who were caught working illegally in the country, the Antara news agency reported.

They will be deported once their cases are settled by the court, immigration officials said.

Police in Nunukan have also intensified efforts to screen Indonesians seeking jobs in the East Malaysian state of Sabah, following reports that many of them had became stranded without jobs when they arrived there. (emb)