Five Indonesian men have been charged at the Sessions Court here over the smuggling of 18 migrants linked to a boat tragedy off Pulau Pangkor in May that left 16 people dead.
The accused are Nanda, 42, who is alleged to have been the skipper, his assistant M Kahfi Kamil, 21, boat engine operator Suyanto, 25, and two cooks, M Yunus, 43, and Riadi Slamat, 43.
All five nodded in understanding after the charges were read out in Indonesian before Judge Azizah Ahmad, though no plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
They are accused of jointly smuggling 18 Indonesian migrants aged between 21 and 48 in waters near Pulau Pangkor at about 6am on May 11.
The offence is framed under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and possible fines upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Syamila Jalaluddin did not offer bail as the case falls under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), which does not allow bail.
The court was also informed that the 18 migrants involved in the incident had earlier been charged at the Manjung Magistrates’ Court, with the next mention set for June 15 pending interpreter arrangements.
The court fixed June 24 for the next mention date.
The incident occurred on May 11 when a boat carrying 39 Indonesian migrants capsized about 8.2 nautical miles off Pulau Pangkor, resulting in 16 fatalities, while the accused and 18 others survived.
