Malaysia rescues 60 Indonesian illegal migrants from sinking boat

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   

09/19/2009

atroling Malaysian marine police have rescued 60 Indonesian illegal immigrants returning to Sumatra to celebrate Idul Fitri after their overcrowded boat almost sank in waters off Ketam Island, Bernama news agency reported.

The incident happened at about 6.50 a.m. local time on Friday after the 35 men, 17 women and eight children, had boarded the boat bound for Dumai in Riau, after having waited for days in mangrove jungle, Port Klang Marine Operations Force acting commanding officer ASP Nordin Osman said.

"We found that the boat was almost sinking, and immediately rescued everyone on board. We also found that none of them had valid travel documents," he told a news conference.

Nordin said they were detained for illegal entry and stay in the country.

The skipper of the boat and two crewmen were also rescued and arrested for harboring illegal immigrants, he added.

"We believe this is the work of a syndicate which ferries illegal immigrants out of the country. We learnt that all the immigrants had paid about RM700 each as the fare and had gathered for days in the mangrove jungle waiting for the boat, which can only accommodate 15 passengers," he said.

Nordin said the Indonesian embassy had contacted them to send back all the illegal immigrants.

The Malaysian authorities have not yet identified the Indonesian immigrants, Antara reported.

Patroling Malaysian marine police have rescued 60 Indonesian illegal immigrants returning to Sumatra to celebrate Idul Fitri after their overcrowded boat almost sank in waters off Ketam Island, Bernama news agency reported.

The incident happenedat about 6.50 a.m. local time on Friday after the 35 men, 17 women and eight children, had boarded the boat bound for Dumai in Riau, after having waited for days in mangrove jungle, Port Klang Marine Operations Force acting commanding officer ASP Nordin Osman said.

"We found that the boat was almost sinking, and immediately rescued everyone on board. We also found that none of them had valid travel documents," he told a news conference.

Nordin said they were detained for illegal entry and stay in the country.

The skipper of the boat and two crewmen were also rescued and arrested for harboring illegal immigrants, he added.

"We believe this is the work of a syndicate which ferries illegal immigrants out of the country. We learnt that all the immigrants had paid about RM700 each as the fare and had gathered for days in the mangrove jungle waiting for the boat, which can only accommodate 15 passengers," he said.

Nordin said the Indonesian embassy had contacted them to send back all the illegal immigrants.

The Malaysian authorities have not yet identified the Indonesian immigrants, Antara reported.