Maritime officer killed, three injured during pursuit of suspected migrant boat off Perlis

KANGAR, Oct 27 — A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel was killed and three others injured when their boat collided with a concrete structure during an enforcement operation off Kuala Sungai Padang, Kuala Perlis, last night.

Kedah and Perlis Maritime director First Admiral Romli Mustafa said five MMEA personnel were conducting the operation at 11.37pm to intercept a boat suspected of carrying undocumented Myanmar migrants.

He said the suspected migrant boat sped towards the shore after being detected, triggering a 15-minute pursuit. The boat is believed to have rammed the MMEA vessel, causing it to collide with a concrete structure near the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) jetty at Kuala Sungai Padang.

“The impact threw three of the five personnel overboard, including one who was reported missing. He was found floating in the sea at about 1.30am today, unconscious, and was pronounced dead. He was believed to have sustained serious head injuries,” he told a press conference here today.

Romli said the three injured personnel suffered a fractured wrist, chest pain, and pain on both sides of the ribs. All were taken to Hospital Tuanku Fauziah for further examination and treatment.

The deceased was taken to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar, Kedah, for a post-mortem. His remains are expected to be buried in his hometown at Kuala Nerang, Kedah, after Asar prayers.

The deceased was identified as Mohd Roshaimi Mohd Ridzuan, 41, an MMEA technical personnel. 

Romli said nine suspected undocumented Myanmar migrants, comprising seven men and two women, and two Thai male boat operators were detained in the incident.

“Checks found that all those detained were suspected of offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).

“They have been taken to the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone headquarters for further investigation,” he said.

Romli said the MMEA would investigate the incident to determine its exact cause, stressing that personnel safety remained a priority during enforcement operations.

He added that efforts to combat the entry of undocumented migrants through the country’s maritime routes would continue to be strengthened.

The MMEA also extended its condolences to the deceased’s family and expressed appreciation for his service in protecting the country’s waters. — Bernama