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Iman Muttaqin Yusof

Malaysian rescuers were searching on Tuesday for 14 Indonesians missing after a boat believed to be carrying undocumented migrants sank off Pangkor Island, the latest emergency along a dangerous sea route used by workers trying to enter Malaysia by boat.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said 23 people, comprising 16 men and seven women, had been rescued after the boat went down in waters off the resort island in Perak state early on Monday.
Authorities believe 37 people were on board, all Indonesian nationals. No deaths had been reported as of Tuesday, but the remaining passengers had yet to be identified.
Perak maritime director Mohamad Shukri Khotob said the agency was alerted around 5.30am local time on Monday after a local fisherman found victims floating at sea and calling for help.
“Initial investigations found that the total number of undocumented migrants on board the boat was 37,” he said in a statement. “So far, 23 victims have been rescued, while the remaining victims have yet to be identified, and search operations are continuing.”
A local fishing vessel rescued the survivors before they were escorted by a marine police boat to the Kampung Acheh marine police jetty for documentation and further investigation. They were later handed over to authorities at the Manjung district police headquarters.

Mohamad Shukri said preliminary checks showed the group was believed to have left Kisaran in Indonesia on Saturday for Malaysia, with several intended destinations including Penang, Terengganu, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
The incident highlights one of Southeast Asia’s long-running irregular migration corridors, linking Indonesia’s Sumatra coast with Malaysia’s western seaboard across the Strait of Malacca.
The route is often used by migrants seeking work in Malaysia’s plantations, factories, construction sites and service sector, with crossings frequently made in small or overloaded boats to avoid detection.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that accidents are common in the waters between Indonesia and Malaysia, usually involving overloaded vessels ferrying labourers seeking work. Migrant activists estimate that 100,000 to 200,000 Indonesians make the journey each year, often through trafficking networks and at risk of exploitation after arrival.
The Perak maritime agency said it deployed two vessels to the search area, assisted by the Marine Police, Royal Malaysian Navy and the local fishing community.
Other assets involved include a navy multi-role support ship, a navy Fennec helicopter, two navy fast combat boats, a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Bombardier CL-415 aircraft and a Marine Police boat.
Authorities also recovered three bags containing clothing believed to belong to the victims. The items will be shown to survivors for identification.
“Maritime Malaysia will remain committed to carrying out search-and-rescue operations with the relevant agencies to ensure all victims believed to be involved can be located,” Mohamad Shukri said.


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Malaysia

14 Indonesians missing after boat sinks off Malaysia’s Pangkor Island

Indonesian survivors rescued during a search and rescue operation by Malaysian authorities off the coast of Pangkor Island in Perak, after a boat carrying migrants capsized on Monday. Photo: AFP/Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency 

A boat carrying 37 undocumented migrants from Indonesia sank off Pangkor Island on Malaysia’s west coast on Monday, leaving 14 people still missing, maritime authorities say. Photo: AFP/Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

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Malaysia’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar (centre) and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Idris (centre, left) with Umno’s leaders at the Johor palace on Monday. Photo: Threads / ahmadzahidhamidi

Malaysia’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar (centre) and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Idris (second from left) with Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Johor palace on Monday. Photo: Threads / ahmadzahidhamidi

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Idris (right) with Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) at the Johor palace on Monday during celebrations for Umno’s 80th anniversary. Photo: Threads / ahmadzahidhamidi

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About 100,000 to 200,000 Indonesians make the risky sea journey to Malaysia in search of work each year, according to migrant activists


About 100,000 to 200,000 Indonesians make the risky sea journey to Malaysia in search of work each year, according to migrant activists.


Indonesia

Marine safety

Human rights

Royal Navy (Malaysia)

14 Indonesians missing after boat sinks off Malaysia’s Pangkor Island

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}About 100,000 to 200,000 Indonesians make the risky sea journey to Malaysia in search of work each year, according to migrant activists

About 100,000 to 200,000 Indonesians make the risky sea journey to Malaysia in search of work each year, according to migrant activists