KLANG: An attempt to smuggle 78 undocumented migrants into the country via an ungazetted sea route was foiled when the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted a boat off Sabak Bernam early on Friday (Jan 30).
Selangor maritime deputy director of operations Commander Mohd Fairusnizam Abdul Razak said the syndicate was believed to have attempted to bring the migrants in early to evade heightened enforcement ahead of Ramadan and Aidilfitri. However, the tactic failed due to intensified patrols in state waters.
Comm Mohd Fairusnizam said the arrest followed intelligence regarding a "pom-pom" boat from an Indonesian fishing jetty suspected of ferrying migrants. A patrol boat was deployed, successfully detaining the vessel at 3.30am approximately three nautical miles southwest of Sungai Air Tawar.
Prior to the inspection, the boat skipper jumped into the sea and escaped. Enforcement officers found two crew members and 78 undocumented migrants, including 49 men and 29 women aged between 14 and 60. All were Indonesian nationals except for one Bangladeshi man; none possessed valid identification.
The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. The suspects and vessel were taken to the Marine Police Force Jetty in Pulau Indah for further action.
Mohd Fairusnizam stressed that MMEA will continue to intensify operations to safeguard national security, in line with the Prime Minister's call for strict enforcement.
