SINTOK: Police and enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance operations around Langkawi following reports that a boat carrying hundreds of migrants may have sunk near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border.
Kedah police chief Comm Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said patrols have been increased around Teluk Ewa and nearby coastal areas, urging residents to alert authorities if they encounter any survivors hiding or stranded.
"So far, 10 survivors, comprising Myanmar, Bangladeshi, and Rohingya nationals, and the body of a Rohingya woman have been found," he told reporters at the 38th Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Convocation.
Adzli mentioned that accounts varied, with some claiming a main vessel carrying about 300 people sank, while others said the group had been transferred to three smaller boats, one of which capsized.
"Investigations are ongoing. The figure of 300 passengers remains unverified. If accurate, we would likely have found more victims by now," he said.
He added that more victims could surface within the next three to seven days, either alive or deceased.
Police are collaborating with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to determine the exact location of the vessel's sinking, while efforts are underway to identify those responsible for smuggling the migrants into Malaysia.
All survivors have been detained for not possessing valid travel documents, Adzli said, adding that investigators believe the syndicate had selected Langkawi as their intended landing point.
Preliminary questioning revealed that some migrants had paid about 400,000 Bangladeshi taka (approximately RM13,000) each to the syndicate for the voyage, while others said their families would make payment upon arrival in Malaysia.
"Many sold their homes and livestock to fund the journey, hoping to start a new life here. They were required to pay before being allowed on board," he said.
Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that the Kedah/Perlis MMEA had activated a search and rescue operation for victims of the incident.
Its director, First Admiral Maritime Romli Mustafa, said the operation was implemented after several victims, believed to be migrants from Myanmar, were found in Langkawi waters on Saturday (Nov 8).
"Based on reports received by the Langkawi police headquarters, two men and a woman, believed to be migrants from Myanmar, were found drifting in Tanjung Chincin waters. They were rescued by the crew of a ship at 8.30am Saturday, before being taken to the jetty and handed over to the police.
"At 2.05 pm, personnel on board the MMEA boat, PETIR 81, found a woman's body floating at sea. Later, the team rescued a Bangladeshi man on a sailboat before handing him over to the police," he said in a statement Sunday.
He added that in a separate operation, the BENTENG 7 MMEA boat found a woman, believed to be a migrant from Myanmar, on a local fisherman's boat.
"At 11.45pm, PETIR 81 accompanied a sailboat which had found four Myanmar men. Meanwhile, another victim, also believed to be from Myanmar, was found stranded at the Datai Golf Course area, and they have all been handed over to the police.
"So far, 11 people, including the deceased, have been found. There is a possibility that more victims will be found. Based on preliminary intelligence gathering, the boat boarded by the victims departed from Buthidaung, Myanmar, with an estimated 300 passengers. It is believed to have capsized three days ago near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border," he said.
Meanwhile, Romli reiterated that stern action will be taken against anyone trying to enter the country illegally.
"Cross-border syndicates are actively exploiting immigrants by making them victims of human trafficking using sea routes that are highly risky. The MMEA will not compromise with any parties involved in human trafficking activities," he said.
He urged the public to report suspicious activities at sea by contacting the emergency hotline 999 or the MMEA Operations Centre at 04-966 2750 or 04-966 5307. – Bernama
