MMEA Foils Attempt To Smuggle Out Illegal Immigrants

KLANG, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- The Selangor Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt by a local skipper to smuggle out 33 illegal immigrants after intercepting his fibreglass boat in the waters of Tanjong Karang last night.

Its director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the unregistered boat carrying Indonesians on board was spotted at 11.20 pm following intelligence and public tip-offs before patrol teams under Op Ehsan, Op Tiris and Op Patkor Optima Malindo 32/25 were deployed to the location.

"The officers and personnel involved had to chase the boat for some 10 minutes as it refused to stop despite being ordered to. The boat was seized about 5.5 nautical miles west of Tanjong Karang.

"Initial checks revealed the boat was carrying 20 men aged between 22 and 50, an 11-year-old boy, 11 women aged between 25 and 63 and a 10-year-old girl who were sitting crammed together," he told a press conference at the Selangor MMEA here today.    

He said all the passengers were detained for failing to produce valid identification documents while the 27-year-old skipper was also detained and being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.

Abdul Muhaimin urged the public to report any suspicious activities at sea via 999 or at 013-6606652.

-- BERNAMA