ID :
22447
Fri, 10/03/2008 - 10:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/22447
The shortlink copeid
103 VICTIMS OF SINKING TRAGEDY GO HOME
PORT KLANG (Malaysia), Oct 3 (Bernama) -- One hundred and three persons of the 125 Indonesian survivors of the Sept 30 barge sinking tragedy, in Pintu Gedong waters 15km from West Port, which claimed 14 lives were sent back Thursday evening.
Immigration Department enforcement director, Ishak Mohamed, said
they were put on an Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard vessel, KN Sarotama, bound
for Tanjung Balai, Asahan in Sumatra.
He said 81 were males, including an 18-month old boy, and the rest were
women, including one who was pregnant.
"Of the balance 22 persons, some are being treated in hospital and some are
at the Indonesian embassy, overcoming their trauma. We will try to send them
back as soon as possible.
'We will do so although we could take action against them as many had
overstayed here and some did not have passports. But in view of them being
victims of the tragedy we will follow the advice of the Home Minister (Syed
Hamid Albar) and arrange their departure.
"
The 103 sent back were given a document called 'Sijil Perjalanan Laksana
Pasport (SPLP)' issued by the Indonesian embassy. It is similar to our emergency
passport which valid for one journey only," Ishak told reporters after
overseeing the departure of the Indonesian vessel at the Westport Malaysia wharf
here.
In the 7.30am sinking incident, the barge was taking the Indonesians home
for Hari Raya. It had set off from mangrove swamps near Pulau Che Mat Zin, near
West Port, and was bound for Tanjong Balai in Sumatra and sank 10 minutes later.
Ishak said based on information from the survivors, they resorted to
leaving using the barge as most of them had overstayed here and did not have
valid travel documents.
"Maybe their agents told them it was unsafe to leave through gazetted exit
points due to immigration presence.
"I understand they paid RM800 up front to the barge's captain and waited at
hotels in Port Klang for four days before being taken to the mangrove swamp
where they waited from 7pm till the next morning before boarding the barge,"
said Ishak.
He said he was made to understand there were 300 other Indonesians who had
paid for the trip and were awaiting their turn.
Regarding the seven Indonesian crew members in remand, Ishak said his
department will liaise with the police on the action to be taken against them.
"I advise Indonesian nationals to use proper channels. For those whose
papers are not in order, they must come to the Immigration Department and we
will compound their offence with a discount. Compound will be between RM1,000
and RM3,000 for those overstaying and without documents. For those attempting to
leave though ungazetted exit points they can be fined up to RM10,000," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Immigration Department enforcement director, Ishak Mohamed, said
they were put on an Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard vessel, KN Sarotama, bound
for Tanjung Balai, Asahan in Sumatra.
He said 81 were males, including an 18-month old boy, and the rest were
women, including one who was pregnant.
"Of the balance 22 persons, some are being treated in hospital and some are
at the Indonesian embassy, overcoming their trauma. We will try to send them
back as soon as possible.
'We will do so although we could take action against them as many had
overstayed here and some did not have passports. But in view of them being
victims of the tragedy we will follow the advice of the Home Minister (Syed
Hamid Albar) and arrange their departure.
"
The 103 sent back were given a document called 'Sijil Perjalanan Laksana
Pasport (SPLP)' issued by the Indonesian embassy. It is similar to our emergency
passport which valid for one journey only," Ishak told reporters after
overseeing the departure of the Indonesian vessel at the Westport Malaysia wharf
here.
In the 7.30am sinking incident, the barge was taking the Indonesians home
for Hari Raya. It had set off from mangrove swamps near Pulau Che Mat Zin, near
West Port, and was bound for Tanjong Balai in Sumatra and sank 10 minutes later.
Ishak said based on information from the survivors, they resorted to
leaving using the barge as most of them had overstayed here and did not have
valid travel documents.
"Maybe their agents told them it was unsafe to leave through gazetted exit
points due to immigration presence.
"I understand they paid RM800 up front to the barge's captain and waited at
hotels in Port Klang for four days before being taken to the mangrove swamp
where they waited from 7pm till the next morning before boarding the barge,"
said Ishak.
He said he was made to understand there were 300 other Indonesians who had
paid for the trip and were awaiting their turn.
Regarding the seven Indonesian crew members in remand, Ishak said his
department will liaise with the police on the action to be taken against them.
"I advise Indonesian nationals to use proper channels. For those whose
papers are not in order, they must come to the Immigration Department and we
will compound their offence with a discount. Compound will be between RM1,000
and RM3,000 for those overstaying and without documents. For those attempting to
leave though ungazetted exit points they can be fined up to RM10,000," he said.
-- BERNAMA
