KLANG: An attempt by a local "tekong" to smuggle 33 undocumented migrants out of Malaysia was foiled after their unregistered fibre boat was intercepted late Thursday (Sept 11) night.
Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the vessel was detected at 11.10pm on Thursday following intelligence and tip-offs from the public.
"The fibre boat ignored our orders to stop, leading to a 10-minute chase before it was finally detained about 5.5 nautical miles west of Tanjung Karang,” he told reporters on Friday (Sept 12).
Checks revealed 21 male passengers aged between 11 and 50, including an 11-year-old boy, as well as 12 female passengers aged 10 and 63. All were crammed into the small vessel.
Abdul Muhaimin said the foreigners, believed to be Indonesians, failed to produce valid identification documents, while the 27-year-old local tekong was arrested together with the boat.
"The syndicate charged each migrant between RM1,500 and RM2,500 depending on the distance of the journey,” he added.
The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for attempting to exit the country through an unauthorised route.
"The local man is also being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.
"All detainees and the seized vessel were taken to the Selangor Maritime jetty for further investigation," said.
Abdul Muhaimin stressed that enforcement efforts would continue to be stepped up to combat cross-border crime.
He urged the public to report any suspicious activities at sea by contacting the agency at 013-660 6652 or the 24-hour emergency line at 999.
