KANGAR: All 11 suspects detained following the death of a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officer during an operation on Monday are being investigated for murder, said Kedah and Perlis maritime director First Admiral Maritime Romli Mustafa.
He said the detainees, who are undocumented migrants from Myanmar and Thailand, are being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code, as the case involves more than just Immigration offences.
"Following further checks, all the individuals detained are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
"More seriously, investigation papers have also been opened under Section 302 of the Penal Code against all those arrested," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 28).
Maritime Technical Leading Seaman Mohd Roshaimi Mohd Ridzuan, 41, was killed while three other personnel were injured after their boat struck a concrete structure during the enforcement operation in the waters off Kuala Perlis, near here.
On Tuesday (Oct 27), Romli said the incident occurred when five MMEA personnel were attempting to intercept a boat suspected of carrying undocumented migrants in Kuala Sungai Padang.
Nine Myanmar nationals, comprising seven men and two women, as well as two male Thai boat operators, were arrested. – Bernama
