IPOH: A boat that was carrying 40 undocumented migrants and heading for Tanjung Balai, Indonesia, was stopped by the marine police in waters near Bagan Datuk.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the boat was found some 1.1 nautical miles from the coast of Tanjung Beting Beras Basah on Sunday (May 28) at about 10am.
Comm Mohd Yusri said the boat had been adrift since 8am due to an engine failure.
"Inspections conducted on the boat found 40 people aged between one and 55, including 11 women and four children.
"A 47-year-old Indonesian, who is believed to have piloted the boat, and two of his assistants, aged 23 and 24, jumped into the water to avoid arrest but were caught by the police," he said in a statement on Monday (May 29).
"All the passengers and the crew of the boat have been taken back to marine police headquarters in Kampung Acheh, Sitiawan for the next course of action," he said.
"The matter would be investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act and Section 6 (1) (C) of the Immigration Act," he added.
Comm Mohd Yusri said the operation was launched following a tip-off from the public.
"The operation's success was due to the cooperation between the police and the community," he said.
"We urge the people to continue forwarding any information related to crime so that we can take action while ensuring the state is peaceful and safe," he added.
