GELANG PATAH: Ten illegal immigrants including two tekong laut (sea coordinators) were arrested three nautical miles or 5.55km off Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) waters.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspects – nine Indonesians and one ethnic Rohingya aged between 21 and 48 were detained on Wednesday (Oct 8).
“The Police Marine Region 2, was conducting an operation codenamed Ops Taring Gelora within the area when they spotted a boat moving suspiciously at 3am,” he said in a statement.
Comm Ab Rahaman said the suspect’s boat suddenly sped off when they saw the Marine Police’s boat approaching them and this led to a chase between the two boats.
“The suspect’s boat crashed into the Marine Police’s and the former was overturned but our men managed to save the boat passengers,” added Comm Ab Rahaman.
He said the passengers were brought to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Jetty at Tanjung Kupang near here before being sent to Hospital Sultanah Aminah for treatments.
“We also seized a fibreglass boat measuring 6.40m and a 40 horsepower (HP) engine boat, both worth RM25,500,’’ said Comm Ab Rahaman.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 26A of Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007 (Act 670) for migrant smuggling and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not possessing valid travel documents.
It is also being probed under Section 338 of the Penal Code for causing “grievous hurt” in a rash or negligent manner and Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in discharging their duties.
“Those with any information on criminal-related activities can contact the Johor Police Hotline at 019-2792095 or Operation Room at 07-2212999,’’ said Comm Ab Rahaman.
