Police believe more suspects involved in boat attack on MMEA officers

PETALING JAYA: Police have not ruled out the possibility that more migrants were on board the boat that attacked Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers in Tanjung Rhu, Banting, but fled the scene after the shooting incident.

Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said investigations showed the boat could have carried up to 20 people, and some might still be at large.

"We believe more individuals were involved, given the boat's capacity of 15 to 20 people.

"Efforts are underway to track down the remaining suspects," he said after officiating the Chinese New Year 2025 road safety campaign, Ops Selamat-23, at Toll Plaza PJS 2 here today.

Also present was Selangor Road Transport Department (JPJ) Director Azrin Borhan.

Hussein added that a search of the suspects' boat revealed no dangerous weapons or illegal items.

"The boat was likely attempting to exit Malaysian waters when it encountered MMEA officers conducting patrols in the area," he said.

The group of foreign nationals reportedly attempted to attack the MMEA personnel with machetes and rammed the enforcement boat four times, prompting the officers to open fire in self-defence.

"The suspects managed to escape under the cover of darkness before the boat, carrying two injured foreigners, was found washed ashore around 9am by members of the public," he said, adding that four of the injured are in stable condition.

He also said police already recorded the statement of one of the four injured foreigners, so far.

Earlier today, Hussein in a statement to Bernama said that the shooting incident in the waters off Morib Beach was the result of a confrontation between foreigners and the MMEA.

The incident left one person dead and four others injured.

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