Malaysian Maritime authorities detain 20 undocumented immigrants in Kelantan

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) in Kelantan detained approximately 20 undocumented immigrants during two separate operations conducted along the Kelantan River. The raids took place on a Wednesday and Friday in the Kota Bharu and Pasir Mas areas.

In the first operation near Pelangi Mall in Kota Bharu, authorities intercepted a boat and detained four men, including three Indian nationals and one Sri Lankan national. Some individuals held passports but were unable to provide valid travel records.

The second operation near Tendong in Pasir Mas resulted in the detention of 16 individuals from India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Myanmar, aged between 23 and 50. While some possessed passports, six individuals had no identification documents at all.

Maritime Director Kamal Mohamad stated that the operations were based on intelligence regarding migrant smuggling via unrecorded river routes. Investigations suggest a connection between agents in Malaysia and Thailand, and the cases are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63.