Police successfully foiled an attempt by a syndicate to smuggle Indonesian migrants out of the country through an illegal route in a bush area near Tanjung Balau, Bandar Penawar, Pengerang on Wednesday evening.
According to Yusof Othman, a team from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters conducted a raid at around 6.45pm following a public tip-off.
Police surveillance later detected a suspicious car entering the bush area before officers moved in to inspect the vehicle.
“During the inspection, the driver suddenly sped off and attempted to flee but was successfully detained by the police,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Initial checks on the vehicle uncovered an Indonesian migrant believed to have been preparing to return to Indonesia through an unauthorised route.
Following the arrest, police carried out further searches in the surrounding area and discovered a group of Indonesian nationals hiding in the bushes.
The group consisted of eight men and three women aged between 18 and 54.
“Preliminary investigations found that all the migrants admitted they intended to return to Indonesia through an illegal route arranged by two caretakers of a temporary shelter house, who were also arrested during the raid,” he added.
Authorities detained a total of three individuals believed to be linked to the migrant smuggling syndicate, while all suspects and seized items were brought to the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Under Section 26A of ATIPSOM, offenders can face up to five years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of RM250,000, or both, if convicted.
Meanwhile, offences under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act carry penalties of up to RM10,000 in fines, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, as well as up to six strokes of the cane.
Authorities have continued tightening enforcement along illegal entry and exit routes amid ongoing concerns over cross-border smuggling and undocumented migrant activities.
