KOTA KINABALU: Local residents are advised to always bring along their MyKad or risk being arrested when the massive operation to flush out illegal immigrants begins next month.

The Federal Special Task Force (FSTF) has begun erecting some 1,000 banners at strategic locations to remind the locals on the matter.

"The operation would be comprehensive, with no stone to be left unturned. As such, locals must make sure they have their MyKad with them to avoid problems," said FSTF assistant director Major Mohd Rizam Ayob.

He said the banners also serve as a reminder to illegal immigrants to voluntarily return to their country of origin before the operation begins.

Dubbed Ops Nyah II, the operation would cost the government RM50 million.
Illegal immigrants in Sabah are mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, and their total was estimated to be more than 500,000.

The last major operation against illegal immigrants in the state was in 2002 with more than 200,000 undocumented Filipinos and Indonesians arrested and deported.