MELAKA: Two children were among 18 undocumented migrants who risked their lives trying to cross the Straits of Malacca in an unseaworthy boat before being detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
MMEA Melaka and Negri Sembilan director Maritime Capt Salehuddin Zakaria said the vessel, lacking safety features and dangerously overloaded, was intercepted 11 nautical miles (20.37km) off Tanjung Kling at 9.25pm on Wednesday (Sept 17).
"Two nine-year-old boys and five women were among those on board.
"We also detained the skipper and another boatman. There were 20 people on board in total," he said on Thursday (Sept 18).
Capt Salehuddin said the migrants, aged nine to 45, were believed to be en route to Pulau Besar, where they would board a locally-registered boat and be taken to local shores.
However, he said their vessel experienced engine failure and began drifting.
Initial information about the suspicious boat had been relayed by the Johor Baru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC), following a report from the Klang Vessel Traffic System (VTS) and an alert from a merchant vessel.
"A patrol boat was sent to the location and found the drifting vessel with both outboard engines not functioning," Capt Salehuddin said.
The vessel, along with its passengers, was towed to the Melaka and Negri Sembilan Maritime Jetty before being handed over to investigating officers for further action under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007.
He said illegal attempts to enter the country by sea are viewed seriously by the MMEA.
"These actions are not only against the law but also endanger those on board, as the boats used are often old, overcrowded and lack safety equipment,” he said.
Capt Salehuddin said MMEA also found that these migrants were deceived by offers of illegal entry into Malaysia, often advertised on social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook.
“Investigations revealed that many of the migrants detained had obtained smuggling services through online advertisements, paying substantial sums for this dangerous journey,” he added.
He urged anyone with information on smuggling activities or illegal entry to contact the Melaka and Negri Sembilan Maritime Operations Centre at 06-3876730 or the emergency hotline 999 to assist efforts in combating cross-border crime at sea.
