TEMPO.CO, Kuala Lumpur – The Malaysian Navy have arrested 66 illegal migrants from Indonesia and local residents who were sailing on the Pengerang Sea, Tanjung Sedili region. They were arrested when the Malaysian Navy was conducting a routine patrol in Tanjung Sedili.
Antara news agency reported that the authorities of Tanjung Sedilis Navy captured the illegal migrants on Wednesday night, May 14. Among the 66 Indonesians arrested were seven females and two toddlers.
Tanjung Sedili Navy official, Kaptud, said that the migrants were arrested for failing to show valid travel documents. "They are now imprisoned and prosecuted under Immigration Act 1959/1963 and the Anti-Smuggling Act 2007," kaptud remarked.
In addition to detaining the immigrants, The Malaysian Navy also seized the boat three Yamaha boat engines. Kaptud said the arrest will encourage the Malaysian Navy to keep patrolling and monitoring the area to prevent peope smuggling and illegal migration.
ANINGTIAS JATMIKA | ANT