KUALA LUMPUR: A maritime enforcement officer was killed when his patrol boat was forced against a concrete structure during a chase involving undocumented migrants off Perlis early today, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
He said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) boat was on a routine border patrol shortly after midnight when officers spotted the vessel.
"During the pursuit, our enforcement boat was forced against a concrete structure, and the officers were injured," he said during his winding-up speech in the Dewan Rakyat.
One officer died and three others were injured.
According to mStar, the deceased was Roshaimi Ridzuan, a senior maritime enforcement officer attached to the intelligence unit at the Kedah and Perlis maritime headquarters.
The incident occurred at about 12.30am off Sungai Padang, Perlis.
Saifuddin said such incidents were among the risks faced by maritime enforcement personnel, citing similar cases in the Strait of Malacca and areas under the Eastern Sabah Security Command.
"These are among the risks of the job," he said.
He said the agency's training and equipment had received priority for asset upgrades over the past three to four years, including fast boats, helicopters, drones and radar systems.
Saifuddin conveyed his condolences to the officer's family.
Meanwhile, he said the immigration department detained 3,161 employers suspected of hiring or harbouring undocumented migrants from last year to Sept 30 this year.
He said those convicted of employing undocumented migrants faced fines of RM10,000 to RM50,000, up to 12 months' jail, or both.
Those convicted of harbouring more than five undocumented migrants could face six months to five years' jail and up to six strokes of the cane.
"While we talk about refugees, migrants and undocumented foreign workers, we must also remember that there are irresponsible employers who openly violate the Immigration Act," he said.