Indonesian Embassy Swiftly Coordinates Response for Indonesian Citizens Affected by Sinking in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Kuala Lumpur is acting swiftly to facilitate the handling of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were victims of a boat sinking in the waters off Pulau Pangkor, Perak, Malaysia.

In a statement received by ANTARA in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, the KBRI conveyed that it has communicated with the Malaysian Maritime Police, particularly regarding the handling of the Indonesian nationals affected by the accident.

The KBRI in Kuala Lumpur received information that the boat was suspected to have been carrying 37 Indonesian nationals. Of this number, information has been obtained that 23 Indonesian nationals have been found safe, while the remaining 14 are still being searched for by the Malaysian SAR Team.

Currently, the KBRI is continuously monitoring developments related to the Malaysian SAR Team’s operations.

In addition, the KBRI in Kuala Lumpur is also submitting a request for consular access to the authorities to meet all the surviving Indonesian passengers.

Previously, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) of the Perak State stated that it was still conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations following the incident of the sinking of a boat suspected to be carrying undocumented foreign migrants (PATI) who are Indonesian nationals, in the waters off Pulau Pangkor.

The Director of Maritime for Perak State, Maritime Captain Mohamad Shukri bin Khotob, said that his side received a report of the boat sinking incident on Monday (11/5) around 05:30 a.m. from a local fisherman who found the victims floating in the sea and requested assistance.

Following up on this information, the SAR operation was immediately carried out at 06:00 a.m. by deploying KM GAGAH and BENTENG 1203 to conduct search efforts with the assistance of related agencies such as the Marine Police Force (PPM), Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), and the local fishing community.

Initial investigation results indicate that the total number of undocumented migrants on the boat was 37 people.

As of now, 23 victims have been successfully rescued, while the whereabouts of the rest are still unknown, and the SAR operation is still being conducted intensively.

All the rescued victims were brought to the PPM Jetty in Kampung Acheh, Perak, before being handed over to the authorities for further investigation at the Manjung IPD.

Maritime Captain Mohd Shukri bin Khotob stated that his side will continue to intensify the search operation until all victims are found.