October 16, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – Marine police have stopped a boat with 10 foreigners trying to sneak into Sabah illegally from the Philippines.
Marine police came across the vessel during an operation dubbed Op Taring Gelora Khas in waters off the east coast Semporna district at 8.50pm on Saturday (Oct 14).
The skipper, 31, is believed to have charged foreigners RM300 each to sneak them into Sabah.
Following a check, marine police found eight people, including a woman without travel papers while the remaining two passengers had valid documents.
During questioning, the skipper told police he was ferrying passengers from Sitangkai in the Philippines to Kampung Terusan in Semporna and that he had charged them RM300 each.
The boat caption had no licence to operate passenger transfer activities.
Region Four Marine Police Commander Asst Comm Ahmad Ariffin confirmed the case when contacted on Sunday (Oct 15).
“The detainees (skipper and eight undocumented migrants) as well as seized items have been brought to the Semporna marine police base and will be referred to the district CID for further investigation.
“The case will be investigated under Section 26 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007,” said ACP Ahmad.