14 migrants missing after boat sinks off Malaysia coast

A boat carrying 37 undocumented migrants believed to be from Indonesia has capsized off Pangkor Island on Malaysia’s west coast, leaving 14 people missing, maritime authorities said.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency) in Perak confirmed that 23 survivors have been rescued so far after a local fisherman alerted authorities early Monday upon spotting people floating at sea.

In a statement, Perak MMEA director Mohamad Shukri Khotob said initial investigations indicated the vessel had departed from Kisaran, Indonesia, on May 9. The migrants were reportedly heading towards multiple destinations in Malaysia, including Penang, Terengganu, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur.

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He added that search and rescue operations are ongoing, with boats, a helicopter, and surveillance aircraft deployed to locate the missing passengers.

Authorities said all rescued individuals have been handed over to police for further investigation.

Malaysia, a relatively affluent Southeast Asian nation, hosts millions of migrant workers from poorer neighbouring countries, many of them undocumented and employed in sectors such as construction and agriculture.

However, officials say such journeys are often arranged by human trafficking syndicates and involve significant risks, with overcrowded and unseaworthy boats frequently leading to fatal accidents.

In a similar recent tragedy, dozens of migrants lost their lives when a boat capsized near the Thai-Malaysian maritime border in November 2025.