Malaysia Ends SAR for Indonesian Shipwreck Victims

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The search and rescue operation for victims of a shipwreck carrying dozens of Indonesian nationals in waters off Pangkor Island, Malaysia, has officially ended after Malaysian authorities found no additional victims in recent days.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Perak announced that the SAR operation concluded on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The search had been underway since the vessel was reported to have sunk on Monday, May 11.

“Initial information obtained on the first day of the operation indicated that the total number of victims was 37. However, the figure is believed to be inaccurate,” the MMEA Perak said in a statement.

The search operation involved several agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Maritime Police, and local fishing communities. SAR personnel combed the waters around Pangkor Island for nearly a week.

According to Malaysian authorities, at least 16 people died in the incident, while 23 others were rescued after the boat capsized off the coast of Pangkor Island.

The deceased comprised nine men and seven women. Authorities transported all bodies to a hospital in Perak for autopsies and identification.

The Directorate for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens at Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry previously said that 14 Indonesians had been listed as missing following the shipwreck.

“Of the 14 Indonesian citizens previously listed as missing, seven have been found dead,” said the ministry’s Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens, Heni Hamidah, in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 13.

The ministry also said that the 23 Indonesians rescued from the incident included 16 men and 7 women aged 21 to 48. The survivors are still receiving treatment and assistance from Malaysian authorities.

Malaysian authorities suspect the vessel was transporting undocumented passengers from Kisaran, North Sumatra. The boat was reportedly headed to several destinations in Malaysia, including Penang, Terengganu, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks of illegal travel using small boats along Malaysian maritime routes. Authorities in Malaysia, in coordination with the Indonesian government, are continuing the victim identification process. (Gusti Panji)