A Total of 39 Indonesians Found After Boat Sinks Off Malaysian Coast

RRI.CO.ID, Kuala Lumpur - A grueling six-day search and rescue operation in Malaysia has exposed inaccuracies in initial passenger manifests, as maritime authorities confirm that the death toll from a migrant boat disaster off the coast of Perak has risen sharply.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) announced Sunday, May 17 2026, that a total of 39 Indonesian nationals have now been recovered from the waters near Pangkor Island. The updated figures reveal a grim reality, while 23 survivors have been rescued, 16 individuals are now confirmed dead, which surpasses the total number of victims initially expected to be involved in the incident.

"So far, a total of 39 victims have been found, consisting of 23 survivors and 16 others confirmed dead. Initial information obtained on the first day of the operation put the number of victims at 37, but that figure is believed to be inaccurate and it is suspected that there are still victims who have not been found," said Perak State Maritime Director, Maritime Captain Mohd Shukri Khotob, in a statement cited in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

The exact details and identity of the vessel remain shrouded in mystery. Authorities have yet to verify the ship's specifications, noting that responding officers on the first day of the operation encountered no vessel, only the Indonesian nationals floating helplessly in the open sea.

As reported by Antara, the victims are suspected to be undocumented migrant workers, locally referred to as Unauthorized Foreigners (PATI).

A massive, coordinated search effort continues to scour the region, drawing on assets from the MMEA, the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), and local fishing vessels. The intensive sweeping operations are currently concentrated across multiple sectors, including the waters surrounding Pangkor Island, Kelumpang Island, Sangga Kechil Island, and Buloh Island.

As the search for answers continues, the recovered bodies have been handed over to the local police department before being transported to Teluk Intan Hospital and Taiping Hospital for formal identification and forensic investigation.

Mohd Shukri emphasized that the integrated operation will remain active until authorities are certain all victims have been accounted for. In the meantime, maritime communities and local fishermen have been urged to immediately report any sightings or suspicious debris that could provide critical clues to aid the ongoing search. ***