KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA – Malaysia has started investigations into a shooting incident involving its coast guard that led to the death of an Indonesian migrant worker and injured four others, raising a rare diplomatic flap between the two close neighbours.
The Malaysian embassy in Jakarta was pelted with eggs on Jan 30 by members of human rights groups and labour unions angered by the incident, with Jakarta issuing a diplomatic note to Malaysia and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto calling for a thorough probe.
A 50-year-old migrant worker, Mr Basri from Riau province, was shot dead by officers from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Jan 24 after they opened fire on a boat for alleged trespassing in the waters of Tanjung Rhu in Selangor state.
Two others in the same boat who had sustained gunshot injuries have been discharged from the hospital in Selangor, and are now under the custody of Malaysian police. The remaining two were still in hospital on Feb 3. Mr Basri’s remains were returned to Riau on Jan 29.
The incident occurred at around 3am on Jan 24 when a patrol boat from the MMEA spotted a boat near the Selangor coast.
The Malaysian officers issued a warning to the boat using a loudhailer, but the boat sped away. The MMEA officers later fired shots at the fleeing boat with the five on board, killing Mr Basri.
Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 3 that the authorities detected a “suspicious contact” in Malaysian waters before officers intercepted and issued warnings to the vessel spotted.
Preliminary investigations into the incident suggest that the boat was conducting illegal activities including drugs and arms smuggling, he said.
He said the Indonesians involved in the incident did not have legal documents with them, and Malaysian police later arrested a man believed to be involved in trafficking migrants.
“This means he was responsible for facilitating the entry and exit of individuals without any documents into our country. He has been arrested, and the preliminary investigation indicates that he is linked to the boat that was pursued by the MMEA,” he said.
“These investigations are still at the initial stages, and we do not reject the possibility that as the interrogations of those arrested continue, it may lead to the opening of an investigation paper on the trafficking of drugs or firearms, based on similar case investigations (in the past),” said Datuk Seri Saifuddin.
In addition, the minister said that the police were also investigating the MMEA officers involved under the Arms Act 1960, adding that six MMEA officers have been relieved off duty pending the outcome of the investigations.
Malaysia shares a long maritime and land border with Indonesia, with alleged rampant smuggling of people and goods. According to a 2020 report by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were around 2.7 million Indonesians working in Malaysia, including those who entered the country illegally.
Contacted for his comments, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono told The Straits Times that the shooting incident has escalated into a “sensitive matter” in Indonesia, and hoped that Malaysia would conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is upheld.
“The resolution of this investigation is important, as we do not want this incident to affect our friendly bilateral relations. We believe that Malaysian authorities will investigate this case transparently and thoroughly. As such, justice will prevail,” he said.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Jan 25 that the shooting occurred as the five Indonesian men were trying to leave Malaysia illegally.
Indonesia had sent a diplomatic note to Malaysia through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, calling for a thorough investigation into the MMEA shooting, Dr Philips Vermonte, spokesman for the Presidential Communication Office said on Jan. 31.
Its Foreign Minister Sugiono made a similar request, particularly looking at the possible excessive use of force by the Malaysian officers.
Indonesia President Prabowo on Jan 30 said he believed Malaysia would carry out a thorough investigation into the incident, while also reminding Indonesians to stay alert and avoid entering other countries illegally.
“Foreign authorities will act on those coming illegally. So our people should not be lured into syndicates giving various promises,” he said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 31 said Malaysia promised to conduct a transparent investigation and would liaise with the Indonesian authorities through the embassy.
The executive director of migrant worker advocacy group Migrant Care, Mr Wahyu Susilo, urged the Indonesian government to address migrant worker issues with Malaysia through strong diplomacy.
According to Migrant Care’s records, there have been at least 75 cases of shooting against Indonesian nationals in Malaysia from 2005, he said.
Mr Wahyu told The Straits Times that Indonesia should use the momentum of Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean this year to push for concrete measures to better protect migrant workers in the region.
President Prabowo was described as a “close friend” by the Malaysian King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, and a “friend and brother” by Prime Minister Anwar as he made a state visit to Malaysia on Jan 27, the first Asean nation he was visiting since being sworn in as Indonesia’s leader three months ago.
Join ST’s Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
