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Malaysia Searches for 14 Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks Off Pangkor Island

The case highlights risky labor routes run by traffickers between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Overview

  • Malaysia’s maritime agency began a search and rescue after a local fisherman found people floating near Pangkor Island early Monday.
  • Officials say the boat carried 37 undocumented Indonesians and 23 were rescued, including 16 men and seven women, leaving 14 missing.
  • Rescuers have deployed patrol boats, a helicopter, surveillance aircraft, marine police, navy units, and local fishing crews to widen the search.
  • The survivors were taken to the Kampung Acheh jetty for processing and were handed to police for documentation and questioning, with no deaths confirmed as of Tuesday.
  • Preliminary checks indicate the group left Kisaran, Indonesia, on May 9 for multiple Malaysian destinations, reflecting frequent dangerous crossings that activists estimate draw 100,000 to 200,000 Indonesians each year.