Lives at stake: Saifuddin Nasution speaking during a press conference after a briefing on search and rescue operations for the capsized boat near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border, in Langkawi. — Bernama
LANGKAWI: A total of 31 bodies have been found – 22 in Malaysian waters and nine in Thailand, along with 14 survivors.
But the search and rescue operation following the recent Rohingya migrant boat capsize will go on.
Scores more are missing after the boat, said to be carrying more than 70 illegal migrants, capsized off the coast of the town of Tarutao, Thailand, about 4 to 5 nautical miles from Malaysia’s maritime border, amid rough monsoon conditions.
“Our focus remains on saving lives. Legal and investigative matters are secondary at this stage. For now, the operation will continue,” the Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday.
Multiple agencies, including the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Royal Malaysian Navy and marine police are continuing the intensive search by air, sea, and along the coastline in the joint Malaysia-Thailand operation.
The operation involves 177 personnel on the Malaysian side.
Saifuddin Nasution said the bodies had all been taken to the Sultanah Maliha hospital in Langkawi for post-mortem.
“However, the process is slow as there are limited facilities and many bodies. Survivors have been given medical attention and are under police custody.
“The police will determine where they came from, how and when they arrived, how many were on board, and whether syndicates were involved,” he added.
Saifuddin Nasution said initial investigations revealed that the vessel might have originated from a mothership before the passengers were moved to smaller boats as they neared Malaysian waters.
Langkawi has long been identified as a key landing area for undocumented migrants due to its proximity to Thailand.
“In 2023, there were only 11 recorded landings. But this year alone, we’ve already recorded 217 cases, including the latest incident.”
He added that all enforcement agencies, including the police and MMEA have been instructed to boost readiness and surveillance along the maritime borders.
“The MMEA will be bolstered with additional assets, including helicopters, ships and radar systems, to strengthen the nation’s maritime security capabilities.
“Four new helicopters from Italy are expected to arrive next year, while one new ship is currently under construction and another has already been procured.
“In addition, the agency will soon finalise procurement for two more offshore patrol vessels, while another has already been completed.
“This is not even counting the additional boats, drones and radar systems – all of which are part of our continuous efforts to strengthen the MMEA’s operational capacity,” he said.
“According to MMEA data, nearly 2,300 people have been detained in Langkawi waters from 2010 to this year.
“Langkawi’s waters are a strategic and sensitive zone. It’s only about four to five nautical miles from Thailand’s coastline. That proximity makes it a hotspot for illegal crossings.”
Saifuddin Nasution said the issue of transnational migration and trafficking is being addressed under the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime.
“We have agreed to strengthen collaboration through people-to-people, government-to-government, and joint operations, as well as intelligence sharing mechanisms.”
