Authorities in Ipoh made a discovery after an empty boat was spotted along the coast of a beach in Selekoh, Bagan Datuk. This led to the finding of 60 illegal immigrants believed to be from Indonesia hiding at a nearby palm oil plantation.
The Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri mentioned that police were alerted to the empty boat at Bagan Sungai Tiang Darat around 3.45am on Thursday (Dec 28). The report suggested that the boat was suspected of transporting foreigners.
Upon receiving the information, police from the Hilir Perak district’s criminal investigation department, along with assistance from the Rungkup police station, Bidor’s Battalion 3 General Operation Force, and Kampung Acheh Marine police, proceeded to the location.
Subsequent checks revealed that the boat was empty, however, further investigation at a nearby palm oil plantation uncovered 40 men and 20 women, believed to be Indonesians, hiding within the plantation.
The police chief mentioned that the illegal immigrants found were between the ages of 20 and 64. It was also discovered that the boat was en route to Tanjung Balai in Indonesia but had encountered an engine issue, forcing the vessel to be abandoned at the coast.
As a result, the illegal immigrants had to seek refuge inside the plantation. The police managed to apprehend two local men aged 38 and 63 who were involved in the illegal activities. Both the illegal immigrants and local men were brought to the Hilir Perak District police headquarters for further investigations.
Comm Mohd Yusri stated that the case is being investigated under Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Section 6(1) (c) of the same Act.
