13 Indonesian Illegal Immigrants Drown Off Johor

The boat capsized after it was hit by strong waves off Malaysia

Johor Baharu, 17 Rabiul Akhir 1437/27 January 2016 (MINA) – Thirteen Indonesian illegal immigrants drowned when the boat carrying them back to their country capsized after being struck by strong waves off Tanjung Kelisa, Bandar Penawar, near Kota Tinggi, Tuesday.

Kota Tinggi Police chief Supt Rahmat Othman said strong winds and high waves caused the boat to overturn, he said in a statement.

Rahmat said the police launched a search-and-rescue operation, involving 16 marine police personnel and seven police personnel from Bandar Penawar, after they were notified of the incident, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Global Times.

The bodies of the nine women and four men were found washed up on the beach at 8.40am and were sent to the Sultan Ismail Hospital, he said.

Accidents off Malaysia’s coast are relatively common as illegal migrants try to find work in the relatively affluent
country.

It is also a key transit hub for asylum seekers fleeing unrest in their own countries, such as in Myanmar, also known as Burma. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)