SEPANG, Jan 31 — The police are investigating the existence of a new syndicate smuggling in ethnic Rohingya through the northern states of peninsular Malaysia, says Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
This was following information received by the police on attempts to smuggle in ethnic Rohingya, he said.
He said border controls in the northern part of the Straits of Melaka had been tightened, involving co-operations between the Marine Police Force (MPF), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM).
Abdul Hamid was commenting on a recent report on the rescue of 65 starving ethnic Rohingya refugees by MPF about 3.3 nautical miles off Pulau Kendang, Penang, after being stranded at sea for almost 20 days, following a failed smuggling attempt by a syndicate.
He was met by reporters after a basic training passing out parade for officers and auxiliary aviation security personnel (for Malaysian Airports Holdings Bhd) at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport here today.
Meanwhile, commenting on kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi’s intention to sue him for allegedly failing to find her missing daughter after the latter was taken away by her ex-husband, Abdul Hamid said it was up to the woman.
“I have no problem with that. I took an approach to carry out an effort so that both parties can meet, and the problem can be resolved other than ensuring the welfare of the children is looked after,” he said.
Abdul Hamid also called on Indira’s ex-husband, Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, to come forward and negotiate so that the children could stay in the country and enjoy a proper education.
“There’s no need to hide anymore. Come forward. The communities don’t know where he is, I know where he is,” he said.
Muhammad Riduan, 47, converted his three children to Islam on April 2009 without Indira Gandhi’s consent, after the couple divorced and he embraced Islam. However, the Federal Court in 2018 ruled that the conversion of the three children to Islam was null and void.
In 2016, the Federal Court ordered the IGP to arrest Muhammad Riduan for violating the High Court’s order to hand over his youngest daughter, Prasana Diksa, to his ex-wife. — Bernama
