June 01, 2011
Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's maritime authority has launched a search for seven Indonesian migrants who were missing after their rickety boat capsized Wednesday, a senior official said.
Abdul Razak Johan, a local maritime chief in southern Johor state said 17 other immigrants had been rescued by Malaysian and Singapore naval ships and a merchant vessel.
The incident happened early Wednesday when 24 Indonesian men, including the boatman, attempted to leave a coastal village in southern Johor state under the cover of darkness for Indonesia's Batam island near Singapore.
Maritime authorities said the wooden boat capsized after it was pounded by strong waves. Five ships and two helicopters have been deployed by Malaysia to locate the missing Indonesians.
Authorities said the victims were believed to have stayed in Malaysia illegally and were attempting to return to Indonesia. Indonesians often go to more prosperous Malaysia illegally to seek work.
There are an estimated 1.1 million legal foreign workers, mostly Indonesians, in Malaysia, officials have said.
( x the JG)
do 2 jun 2011 - 3:06