Published 18 Apr 2020
Malaysian authorities said they have turned back a boat carrying about 200 Muslim Rohingya refugees, including children, over coronavirus fears.
The air force said in a statement late Thursday that one of its surveillance aircraft had spotted the boat about 130 kilometers off the northern resort island of Langkawi earlier in the day.
It said two navy vessels intercepted the boat that was attempting to enter the country illegally, amid concerns that the refugees might bring the coronavirus into the country.
The air force said the navy distributed food to the Rohingya on humanitarian grounds before escorting the boat out of the country’s waters. It didn’t say where the boat was heading or describe the condition of the refugees.
The air force said aerial maritime surveillance will be intensified as part of the country’s partial lockdown until April 28 to curb the virus.
Malaysia has recorded 5,182 coronavirus infections with 84 deaths. New cases have begun to decline this week. Authorities have said they will tighten border patrols to prevent undocumented immigrants from possibly spreading the disease.Nearly two weeks ago, 202 Rohingya refugees were arrested after their boat drifted close to shore in Langkawi.
There were no details about where they came from, but many Rohingya living in refugee camps in Bangladesh have been lured by traffickers to leave to seek a better life elsewhere. ( The New Arab )
