Illegal Indonesian Migrant Worker Transport Ship Sinks, 14 People Still Missing

As many as 14 Indonesian citizens (WNI), suspected to be illegal Indonesian migrant workers who experienced a maritime accident off Pulau Pangkor, Malaysia, remain under search by the Malaysian Maritime Authority on Tuesday (12/5).

Meanwhile, 23 people were successfully found safe by Malaysian Maritime officers floating in the middle of the ocean when the ship they were on sank.

The Perak State Maritime Director of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), Maritime Captain Mohamad Shukri Bin Khotob, stated that operations to search for all missing victims will continue to be intensified.

“Malaysian Maritime will remain committed to conducting search and rescue operations together with relevant agencies to ensure all victims believed to be involved are detected. The public, especially the maritime community, is asked to channel any information if they find victims or suspicious objects at sea,” said Maritime Captain Mohamad Shukri Bin Khotob in his official statement received by CNNIndonesia.com on Tuesday (12/5).

Furthermore, he said that fishermen or anyone who finds clues about the missing victims should report to the Perak State Maritime Operations Centre.

“They are asked to contact the Perak State Maritime Operations Centre at 05-683 8737 or 999 for immediate action,” he stated.

On Monday (11/5), the ship carrying 37 suspected illegal Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) sank off Pulau Pangkor, Malaysia.

The sinking was first discovered by fishermen passing through the waters around the island and immediately reported to Malaysian Maritime officers. Officers suspect the ship carrying dozens of illegal PMI departed from Indonesia via sea routes destined for Penang, Terengganu, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Of the 37 PMI victims, 23 were found safe and 14 are in the search process by the Malaysian Maritime Authority. The survivors were taken to Kampung Aceh in Malaysia.