ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a boat carrying dozens of Rohingya refugees in the waters of Langkawi.
Maritime Northern Region director First Admiral Rozali Mohd Said said the boat was found at 9.10am Tuesday (April 3) about 0.1 nautical miles (0.2km) off Pulau Nyior Setali by Maritime and Navy assets patrolling the waters.
“We found 19 male adults, 17 female adults, 12 girls and eight boys on the boat.
“Maritime has provided initial aid such as food, drinks and medicine as required,” he said in a statement.
First Admiral Rozali added that the boat has been escorted to the Kuala Kedah jetty and handed over to the Kedah Immigration Department for further processing.
“We are serious about handling breaches in Malaysian waters, but on a humanitarian basis, the refugees were given good treatment,” he said.
On Sunday (April 1), the boat had briefly stopped on the Thai island of Koh Lanta before continuing its journey here.
