KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has arrested five undocumented Indonesian immigrants for attempting to sneak into the country on Wednesday (March 29).
Johor MMEA Tanjung Sedili acting director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said the incident occurred at 5am at 0.3 nautical miles (500m) east of Tanjung Bulat.
“Based on a public tip-off, we have managed to cut off a fibreglass boat carrying five men aged between 23 and 53 without having any valid travel documents.
“The boat and the immigrants were then detained,” he said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007.
The section provides for imprisonment not exceeding five years, a fine of up to RM250,000, or both upon conviction.
“We would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public, especially Indonesian citizens, who wish to enter and exit the country for the upcoming festive season to do so via legal routes without risking their lives,” he said.
