Three people including two foreigners were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Lahad Datu on May 24 for suspected human trafficking involving illegal immigrants.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who confirmed this, said the trio were found to be active in smuggling illegal immigrants through land and sea routes.

However, he declined to disclose their identities.

The action was in line with the government's firm stand in tackling security threats to the country, he said after handing over appointment letters to the new Sabah Registration Department director Ismail Ahmad and Sabah Prisons Department director Suria Idris, both of whom are Sabahans, here today.

He said the arrests of the trio enabled more detailed investigations to be carried on human trafficking syndicates, particularly those operating in Sabah.

    

He added that the arrests were also part of the measures being taken by the government to check the inflow of illegal immigrants into Sabah.

On the new appointments, Hishammudin said he hoped it would help further improve the delivery system of the two agencies under his ministry.

"They have wide knowledge and experience on the local situation and are committed to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to them," he said, adding that with their appointments, five of nine department and agency directors under the ministry in Sabah now were locals.

He also dismissed perceptions held by some quarters that the percentage of locals employed in federal agencies in the state was very low.

Citing the departments and agencies under his watch, Hishammuddin said the majority of the staff in them were locals with the percentage between 70 and 97 percent.

- Bernama