They were arrested because they failed to present valid travel documentsKuala Lumpur, Malaysia (ANTARA News) - The Malaysian Navy has arrested 66 illegal migrants from Indonesia and a local citizen sailing in a boat on the Pengerang Sea of Tanjung Sedili region.
The authorities of Tanjung Sedilis Navy, Kaptud stated that on Wednesday night (May 14), the Navy arrested 66 illegal migrants during a regular patrol in the Pengerang area.
"Our force spotted a boat in the Pengerang sea area at 10.30 p.m. at a distance of 3.6 nautical miles from the coast in the Southeast Tanjung Punggai Sea," noted Kaptud as quoted by local media in Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday.
Further investigation revealed that among those arrested were one local and 66 Indonesian citizens, of which there are seven females and two toddlers.
Kaptud explained that the illegal migrants were between seven months to 56 years of age, and prior to the arrest, they were suspected to be on their way from Tanjung Punggal, Malaysia, to Indonesias sea territory.
"They were arrested because they failed to present valid travel documents and they are now imprisoned and prosecuted under Immigration Act 1959/63 and Anti-People Smuggling Act 2007," remarked Kaptud.
The Malaysian Navy also seized the boat and three Yamaha-type boat machines.
Kaptud stressed that based on the arrest, the Malaysian Navy will keep patrolling and monitoring the area in order to avoid people smuggling and illegal migration.
(A060/INE)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
