Malaysia detains 269 Rohingya refugees found in boat off Langkawi island

Malaysian marine officials intercepted the vessel Monday off the northern resort island of Langkawi

Malaysia, which has a majority Muslim population, has been a common destination of boats arranged by traffickers who promise the refugees a better life abroad

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The Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Photo: AP

Published: 2:00pm, 9 Jun 2020Updated: 10:18pm, 9 Jun 2020

Authorities in Malaysia detained 269 Rohingya refugees and found a body on board a suspected smuggling boat they said had been intentionally damaged so it could not be turned back to sea.

Marine officials intercepted the vessel Monday off the northern resort island of Langkawi, the National Task Force said in a statement.

It said 53 people who jumped off the boat and tried to swim ashore were detained, another 216 were detained from the boat and the body of a woman was found on board.

Malaysian officials had intended to turn the boat away, but it had been intentionally damaged with its engine beyond repair.

The refugees were fed and placed in a temporary detention facility, while the body has been handed over to police for investigation, the statement said.

How long the Rohingya were at sea and where they came from were not disclosed.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar due to a military crackdown and many live in densely crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh.

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