4-1-2025 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian authorities have intercepted two vessels carrying approximately 300 Myanmar nationals near Pulau Rebak, Langkawi, as the region grapples with ongoing maritime migration challenges.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) spotted the vessels yesterday afternoon at 4:16 pm during routine coastal surveillance operations. Admiral Rosli Abdullah, MMEA’s director-general, reported that the passengers were found in a severely fatigued state, having endured a gruelling sea journey with minimal provisions.
“Our initial assessment revealed the desperate conditions these individuals had faced at sea,” Admiral Abdullah told journalists. “The passengers had clearly been without adequate sustenance for a considerable period.”
Following humanitarian protocols, the MMEA provided emergency supplies, including essential foodstuffs and drinking water, before directing the vessels to depart Malaysian territorial waters. The agency has also initiated collaborative efforts with Thai maritime authorities to monitor the vessels’ movements and gather intelligence about similar maritime activities in the region.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another interception earlier yesterday, when Malaysian authorities detained 196 Myanmar nationals near Pantai Teluk Yu in Langkawi. That group was discovered at approximately 3:25 am after their vessel became stranded in shallow waters.
