Boat Capsize: MMEA Activates Search And Rescue Op For Victims In Langkawi Waters

ALOR SETAR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- The Kedah/Perlis Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has activated the search and rescue operation for victims in Langkawi waters after a boat capsized in Pulau Tarutao near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border.

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 yesterday.

"Based on the reports received by the Langkawi Police Headquarters, two men and a woman, believed to be migrants from Myanmar, were found drifting in the Tanjung Chincin waters. They were rescued by the crew of a ship at 8.30 am, 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 today.

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 11.45 pm, PETIR 81 accompanied a sailboat which 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