SANDAKAN: Six Filipino nationals who survived a boat capsize incident three days ago were handed over to the Philippine authorities by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in the Malaysia-Philippines border waters on Monday.
Sandakan Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain, said they received reports from Sandakan Port Control and Taganak Port Control about a boat capsize outside the limits of Sandakan Port at 7.30pm last Sunday.
“Upon receiving the information, a rescue operation was promptly launched by dispatching Boat HALILINTAR 4 to the scene.
“At 9pm, Boat HALILINTAR 4 arrived and successfully rescued six victims, consisting of five adults and one child, aged between 11 and 45 — all Filipino nationals,” he said.
The survivors were brought to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty at 11.30pm for medical treatment and further action.
Following bilateral discussions, MMEA collaborated with Philippine authorities, including the Philippine Coast Guard and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), to hand over the survivors in the border waters, accompanied by assets from both nations.
The handover was successfully carried out at 10.30am on Monday at the Malaysia-Philippines border, witnessed by Vice Mayor Suraida B. Ibnusali.
All the survivors were reported to be in good condition and were taken into custody by Philippine authorities.
Muhamad Suhairy emphasised that MMEA remains committed to ensuring maritime safety and urged coastal communities and seafarers to exercise caution during adverse weather and stay alert to warnings issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
