BATU PAHAT: Nine Indonesian immigrants were detained while attempting to enter the country illegally.
Batu Pahat Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) maritime commander Mohd Haniff Mohd Yunus said they were apprehended on Tuesday (Aug 20) at 10.30pm.
“Our patrolling team spotted a fibre boat in the area,’’ he said in a statement.
Mohd Haniff said the boat was intercepted 1.2 nautical miles (2.22km) south of Sungai Sanglang, Benut. Two women and seven men were onboard.
He said the boat’s captain and the suspects, aged 24 to 51, failed to produce valid travel documents.
“Initial investigation found that they were attempting to leave the country illegally by heading to Batam,’’ said Mohd Haniff.
He said the suspects and the boat were brought to the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone and handed over to the investigation officers for further action.
Mohd Haniff said the case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) 2007 and the Immigration Act 1963.
