KUALA PERLIS – The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained 28 people suspected of involvement in migrant smuggling after an unregistered boat ran aground near Kurung Tengar Beach in Perlis on Friday morning, 16 October.
The operation took place at around 6am in coastal waters, approximately 0.7 nautical miles from the beach. Authorities also seized the fibreglass boat, which investigators suspect was being used to transport migrants into Malaysia through unauthorised entry routes.
Deputy Director of Maritime Operations for Kedah and Perlis, Maritime Captain Zainudin bin Mohd Zuki, said the operation began after a patrol boat received intelligence about a suspicious vessel travelling at speed along the coastline.
According to the agency, Bot Benteng 1207 was conducting routine patrols when personnel received the information and moved to intercept the boat. The vessel subsequently ran aground in shallow waters during low tide, prompting maritime officers to approach it for inspection.
When officers moved in, the boat’s captain and those on board reportedly jumped into the mud and attempted to flee towards a nearby beach. Personnel positioned on land assisted in the operation, enabling officers to detain all 28 individuals.
The group comprised 21 Bangladeshi nationals, four Myanmar nationals, two Thai nationals and one Malaysian citizen. Those detained were aged between 14 and 42, with the total including the vessel’s captain and crew.
The presence of individuals from several countries is among the details authorities will examine as part of their investigation into the suspected operation. However, the circumstances surrounding the journey, the identities and roles of those involved, and the intended destination of the passengers have not been fully established in the information released by the agency.
The seized vessel had no registration number, according to the MMEA. Investigators suspect it was used to transport people into Malaysia outside authorised immigration channels, although the allegations remain subject to investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 5(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which concerns entering or leaving Malaysia through unauthorised routes without undergoing the required immigration inspection. Authorities are also investigating possible offences under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).
The two provisions address different aspects of the suspected offences, including unauthorised cross-border movement and alleged involvement in migrant smuggling. Any determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the findings of the investigation and the applicable legal process.
Following their detention, all 28 individuals and the seized boat were taken to the agency’s detention jetty for further action. The MMEA placed the estimated value of the seizure at nearly RM150,000, although the breakdown of that valuation was not specified in the information provided.
The operation forms part of maritime enforcement efforts in the waters off Perlis, where coastal patrols and intelligence-led interceptions are used to detect suspected unauthorised crossings. The agency said it would continue strengthening patrols and surveillance to address migrant smuggling and other forms of cross-border crime.
Maritime enforcement operations can involve coordination between vessels at sea and personnel stationed along the coast, particularly when boats enter shallow waters or occupants attempt to escape on land. In this incident, the involvement of shore-based personnel helped officers secure the entire group after the vessel became stranded.
The MMEA has urged members of the public, particularly those working in the maritime sector, to report suspicious movements or activities in coastal waters. Information can be channelled to the Kuala Perlis Zone Maritime Operations Centre at 04-9851072 or 04-9851162, while emergencies can be reported through Malaysia’s emergency number, 999.
The agency said continued public cooperation, alongside patrols and monitoring, would support efforts to safeguard national maritime security and prevent suspected criminal activities in the country’s waters. The investigation into the 28 detainees and the unregistered vessel is ongoing. â Sarawak Daily
