MMEA DETAINS 35 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FLEEING MALAYSIA

PORT KLANG (Malaysia), May 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime
Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained 35 illegal immigrants, including Pakistanis
and Afghans, while trying to leave the country using a speedboat in the Kuala
Selangor waters, near here, Wednesday night.

They comprised 10 Indonesians including the skipper and two women, 12 Afghan
men and 13 Pakistani men, aged between 19 to 56.

MMEA Southern region commander, First Admiral Che Hassan Jusoh said based on
information from the public, an MMEA patrol boat detected a boat with its lights
off while they were conducting operations at 9.45pm.

He said when the MMEA patrol boat tried to approach the other boat, it sped
away and after a 15-minute chase they managed to stop the boat at 1.5 nautical
miles south-east of Pulau Angsa.

"Checks on the boat revealed the illegal immigrants who were then sent to
the Port Klang Marine Department Jetty for further action," he said in a
statement here Friday.

Che Hassan said the illegal immigrants were on their way out of the country
and heading to Indonesia without using an authorised base, and could be charged
under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
-- BERNAMA