On May 12, the Malaysian Maritime Administration launched a search and rescue operation for 14 missing people after a boat believed to be carrying Indonesian migrants without papers sank off the west coast of the country.
Perak State Director of Maritime Mohamad Shukri Khotob said that a fisherman reported to authorities on the morning of May 11 after discovering victims floating in the waters near Pangkor Island.
A local fishing boat rescued 23 Indonesian citizens, including 7 women. These people were then taken to the coast guard port to complete paperwork and serve the investigation.
According to initial investigation results, the distressed boat was carrying a total of 37 people, departing from Kisaran, Indonesia on May 9. Passengers on board are believed to be heading to many locations in Malaysia, including the capital Kuala Lumpur and Penang Island in the northwest.
Director of Maritime Mohamad Shukri said that the remaining victims have not yet been identified and the search operation is still ongoing.
Accidents on the sea route between Indonesia and Malaysia occur quite frequently, mainly related to overloaded boats carrying workers looking for jobs at plantations and factories in Malaysia.
According to migrant activists, about 100,000-200,000 Indonesians take this dangerous journey each year. Many are recruited by human trafficking rings and at risk of exploitation upon arrival.
