MMEA detains boat carrying Rohingyas in Langkawi

ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has reportedly detained a boat carrying dozens of Rohingya refugees in the waters of Langkawi.

According to sources, about 56 women, men and children on board were being taken to the maritime base in Bukit Malut.

On Tuesday, Maritime Northern Region director First Admiral Rozali Mohd Said said its operations had been increased in the Straits of Malacca and the Andaman Sea since Sunday (April 1).

Six maritime assets, namely two ships and four boats, had been deployed for detection purposes in the northern region waters.

A boat carrying dozens of Rohingya refugees trying to reach Malaysia had briefly stopped on the Thai island of Koh Lanta on Sunday (April 1) as fears grew about overcrowded camps for the stateless minority fleeing violence in Myanmar.