PORT KLANG: The Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) busted a foreign fishing vessel that was suspected of sneaking illegal immigrants out of the country.
In a statement, MMEA said, the Indonesian boat was detained at about 1.10pm on Thursday (May 23).
Selangor MMEA state director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the agency’s patrol boat KM Danga detained the Indonesian vessel about 2.4 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Gabang in Morib.
“Inspection found 42 individuals, believed to be Indonesians, out of which 30 were men and 11 women as well as a one-year-old infant, hiding under a blue canvas in the boat,’’ said Abdul Muhaimin.
He added none of those who were detained had valid identification documents.
“They are suspected of having committed offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom), respectively, for not having valid identification documents and smuggling migrants out of Malaysia through an ungazetted route,’’ said Abdul Muhaimin.
He added all those who were detained, as well as the boat, were brought to the Selangor MMEA headquarters jetty here before being turned in to the agency’s investigation officer.
Abdul Muhaimin said the MMEA will always be alert and ensure that the Malaysian waters will not be encroached.
The public can reach out to the MMEA to provide information, or in the event of any emergency at sea, through its MERS line 999 or call the Selangor MMEA operation centre at 013-6606652.
