35 undocumented migrants hiding in oil palm plantation arrested
LUMUT - A total of 35 undocumented Indonesian migrants hiding in an oil palm plantation in Segari, Manjung, here, have been arrested yesterday.
Manjung district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamed Nordin Abdullah said they received information from the public at around 9.45am about a boat stranded on the coast.
"Based on initial information, police managed to track down 24 men, 10 women and a boy hiding in the area.
"After further investigation, two local men were arrested at a seafood restaurant in Kampung Bharu, Manjung," he said, today.
He said the case was classified under human smuggling.
"The case is currently being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007, Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959.
"All those arrested will be remanded to assist in the investigation," he said.
Nordin also advised the public not to get involved or conspire in protecting foreign immigrants.
"If convicted, they can be punished with 15 years imprisonment and a fine.
"Those who have information related to the incident could contact investigating officer Inspector Muhammad Sollehuddin Rahmat at 013-7908995 to assist in the investigation," he said.
