ALOR STAR, June 30 — The arrest of nine illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh by Kedah police is the outcome of interrogation and exposure by illegals from both countries who landed in Langkawi Island last month.

Kedah police chief Datuk Zamri Yahya said the seven illegals from Myanmar and two from Bangladesh were arrested by police yesterday at the immigration detention depot in Belantik, Sik.

All the illegals were arrested under section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.

“The arrest is to probe their involvement in human trafficking activities, namely illegals from Myanmar and Bangladesh to this country,” he told Bernama here.

Zamri was commenting on the announcement by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today on the arrest of nine illegals suspected of being involved in the crimes in Kedah.

The detention brought the total number of people arrested for being involved in human trafficking activities to 19 since May 10, including a local man and two Bangladeshi nationals who were charged on June 25.

The local man who was arrested was revealed by Zamri to Bernama several days ago as one of the boat owners who brought the illegals to Langkawi last month.       

Asked if the nine illegals involved were the skippers responsible for the entry of the two boats to Langkawi, the Kedah police chief said they were identified as the ones handling the boats to the country.

“Based on my understanding, they (nine illegals) were mentioned by other illegals as the ones handling their arrival to this country,” he said without elaborating further as the investigation was still ongoing.

Zamri said all nine illegals involved were placed under a 30-day remand to help in investigation at the Sik district police headquarters. — Bernama