Following the detection of a suspicious ship drifting near Pulau Pemanggil, an MMEA vessel named Perkasa 44, which was conducting patrol duty in the area, was dispatched to the location. 

 

Four Indonesian crew members of a cargo ship were located approximately four nautical miles west of Pulau Pemanggil, having leapt off the vessel due to engine failure that occurred the previous Monday. 

 

Commander Suhaizan Saadin, Director of MMEA Maritime Zone, stated that the crew members – Darman (42), Murhairi (57), Agus Mustafa (25), and Suhandri (22) – were believed to have drifted approximately 110 nautical miles from Tanjung Pinang waters in Indonesia, where the incident originated.

 

The MMEA was initially alerted about the drifting suspicious ship close to Pulau Pemanggil. In response, the patrol boat Perkasa 44 was mobilized to the scene.

 

Due to unfavorable weather conditions and strong waves, the ship had been adrift since the previous Saturday (August 12) at around 6 pm. The crew members decided to jump off the vessel after several days of drifting without communication or assistance in sight.

 

Fortunately, the crew members sustained no injuries. They were transported to the Mersing Marine Police jetty and subsequently handed over to the Mersing Maritime Zone for further actions.

 

Upon completion of their documentation by the Indonesian embassy, the victims – once identified as complete – will be repatriated to Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia.

 

Commander Suhaizan expressed gratitude to the maritime community, particularly the island residents, for their prompt assistance in aiding the victims.