GEORGE TOWN: For a fee of between RM1,500 and RM2,000, illegal immigrants from Indonesia are able to easily enter the country via “laluan tikus” or illegal routes at sea.

       Marine Police Region One commander Asst Comm Shamsol Kassim said the routes were discovered after 165 Indonesians were detained as they tried to slip into the country via the waters off Selangor.

       “Investigations revealed the illegal immigrants, who were smuggled in during the wee hours of the morning, paid between RM1,500 and RM2,000 to syndicates.

       “They were promised jobs upon arrival into the country.

       “All were arrested in the waters off Sungai Buloh, Tanjung Karang and Sungai Serdang in Selangor are being held for further investigation,” he said during a press conference at the marine police base in Batu Uban yesterday.

       ACP Shamsol said four boats valued at RM900,000 were also seized during the operations.

       He said that the “laluan tikus” were difficult to locate as they were quite far from the marine bases or monitoring agencies, making it a tough task to monitor these sea routes.

       “It takes syndicates four to five hours to bring in illegal immigrants.

       “The absence of monitoring in these sea routes makes it easier for them to smuggle in the people.

       “Popular routes were between Klang in Selangor and Hutang Melintang in Perak through modified fishing boats which can accommodate between 100 and 200 people.

       “There is a demand for such illegal immigrants now since most of the economic sectors have reopened, especially in the domestic and farming sectors,” said ACP Shamsol.

       He added that the Marine Police Region One’s jurisdiction stretched from the waters in Selangor up to Langkawi, where the sea routes are constantly monitored for illegal activities.

       Meanwhile, the Marine Police also seized contraband cigarettes and liquor worth RM3.36mil during raids in Langkawi, Penang, Perak and Selangor during the recent Chinese New Year festival.

       “Two cars, a motorcycle and a lorry were also seized with the cases probed under the Customs Act 1967.

       “Marine police also took action against 52 trawlers who have been carrying out their activities along the waters of Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor.

       “These cases are being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985,” added ACP Shamsol.