Its director, Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yusof, said sharing real-time updates on enforcement movements had significantly disrupted their operations, Bernama reported.

“They not only took photos of immigration vehicles but also had their own ‘tontos’ (informants) shadowing enforcement movements.

“They deliberately shared information in WhatsApp groups to alert others about the operation in the area.

“We will track them through intelligence efforts and seek assistance from the communications ministry.

“In addition, we are working closely with the police to resolve this issue,” she told reporters in Tawau today.

Sh Sitti suspected that some of those who spread the information are foreigners with vested interests.

“If the individuals who spread this information are Malaysian citizens, they are betraying the nation, compromising its sovereignty.

“They are deliberately acting as informants by publicising enforcement operations, giving illegal immigrants the chance to escape before the authorities arrive.”

Separately, she said 462 foreigners were checked during immigration enforcement operations on construction sites and squatter settlements in Tawau and Semporna yesterday and today.

Of the number, 139, comprising 53 men, 37 women and 49 children, were detained for offences including not possessing identification documents.

“All of them have been placed at the Tawau immigration depot,” she said.