102 Illegals Detained For Exiting Illegally

PORT KLANG, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Marine Operations Force (MOF) detained 102 illegals while trying to leave the country illegally from Sungai Mati, Carey Island, near here, Tuesday.

Port Klang MOF commanding officer, Deputy Supt Marzuki Ismail said those detained were all Indonesians, including 35 women and four children.

"They had waited among some bushes to be smuggled out in two boats, but were stranded there due to low tide," he told reporters, here, today.

"When our men arrived at the scene at about 8.30am, the illegals couldn't run away as they were weak from hunger. Some even fainted before we took them out and gave them food and treatment."

Marzuki said the initial investigation revealed that they were each charged RM600 by the boat skippers and charged an additional RM200 to RM300 when they reached the spot.

He said they were detained and being investigated under Section 6 (3) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 for illegal entry and exit, while one who was suspected of harbouring the illegals was detained under Section 56 (1)(d) of the same Act. -- BERNAMA