A shooting incident unfolded in the early hours of Friday at approximately 3 a.m., in the waters off Morib Beach, involving a confrontation between foreign nationals and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The altercation resulted in the death of one Indonesian migrant worker and left four others injured. The incident, which has drawn international attention, occurred during routine patrol duties conducted by an MMEA boat in Tanjung Rhu. Indonesian authorities have called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
The confrontation reportedly began when a boat, believed to be carrying up to 20 individuals, attempted to evade the MMEA patrol. In the ensuing chaos, two of the migrant workers allegedly attacked the patrol officers with machetes. The situation escalated as officers fired shots in self-defence.
“Officers fired several shots at the suspects’ boat in self-defence. However, the suspects managed to flee under the cover of darkness,” – Hussein
The suspects reportedly rammed their boat into the MMEA patrol vessel four times before fleeing the scene. Preliminary investigations revealed that five migrants, who were not in possession of identification or travel documents, were involved. Despite exhaustive search efforts, several individuals from the boat remain unaccounted for.
“Efforts are underway to track the remaining suspects,” – Hussein
Following the incident, a medical officer from a local hospital's emergency department filed a police report, confirming that the three injured individuals had gunshot wounds.
“The three were conscious and had sustained injuries consistent with gunshot wounds,” – Hussein
The authorities are investigating the case under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder and Section 186 for obstructing civil servants from discharging their duties. The boat involved in the incident reportedly did not carry any dangerous weapons or illegal items.
In light of the serious allegations and international implications, Indonesia's government has urged Malaysia to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
“The Indonesian Embassy has requested consular access to see the deceased body and visit the injured victims,” – Judha from Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry
The deputy minister for migrant workers protection in Indonesia, Christina Aryani, emphasized her government's commitment to assisting the victims' families with legal aid and repatriation efforts.
“We are also assisting the families of the victims with legal aid and arranging the repatriation of the deceased’s body … We are still confirming their identities and contacting their families,” – Christina Aryani
As of Saturday, Malaysian police had recorded a statement from one of the injured foreigners. However, with many details still emerging, both nations are poised for ongoing diplomatic engagement. The situation underscores a broader concern regarding maritime security and migrant safety in the region.
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