The four Indonesians detaiend by MMEA personnel in waters off Port Dickson early today.
PORT DICKSON: Four Indonesians, including a boat skipper or tekong, were detained by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel as they attempted to smuggle out their countrywoman who had entered the country illegally.
Negri Sembilan and Melaka MMEA director Capt Iskandar Ishak said a patrol team had detected the movement of a boat in waters off Port Dickson around 2am Tuesday (July 19) morning and decided to conduct an inspection.
"My men then instructed the boat to stop but they refused and sped off.
"They gave chase and managed to intercept the boat around eight nautical miles from Pulau Arang about 30 minutes later," he said.
Capt Iskandar said upon inspection, his men found the four aged between 21 and 53 on the boat.
None had any identification documents.
"Upon questioning, we found that two of the men were the tekong's assistants and they were attempting to smuggle the woman back to Indonesia," he said.
All four were later arrested.
The case is being probed under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007 and the Immigration Act 1959/1963.
He said the MMEA will continue to be vigilant and patrol the waters of both states to prevent any cross-border crime.
Those with information can also call the MMEA operations line at 06-3876 730 which operates 24 hours.
