TAWAU, Jan 7 — The efficiency and good coordination between the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and other rescue teams in the MV Zuhairi ferry incident at the Semporna port last night helped rescue all the victims in 35 minutes.            

Tawau MMEA enforcement chief, Capt Anor Jaafar in a media conference at the MMEA office here today said all 160 passengers and crew of the ferry were saved by about 9.15pm.

“After receiving information, we informed the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) about the incident and the entire rescue operation was over in 35 minutes,” he said.

Apart from MMEA, marine police and private boat owners also joined in the operation.

In the 8pm incident, the passenger ferry from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi Island in the Philippines was heading to Semporna when it almost capsized after colliding with a barge at the port. — Bernama