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>PORT KLANG, MALAYSIA: Seven suspected crew members of the ill-fated KM Saudara barge have been detained by police but they are believed to be only the runners of the syndicate operating the illegal ferry service.
However, Immigration enforcement director Datuk Ishak Mohamad promised that they would face the full brunt of the law for their roles which led to the tragedy.
He also said that the masterminds were believed to be in Medan, Indonesia.
"We are still determining the charges to be filed against them, in addition to Immigration violations."
Ishak said the tragedy foiled the plans of another 300 Indonesians waiting for other illegal ferries to take them home on Tuesday.
He was glad Malaysians were not involved in the syndicate.
Klang police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Mat Yusop said the seven, aged between 20 and 30, were among those rescued. They have been remanded for 14 days. to help with investigations.
He said the syndicate might have arranged the temporary ferry service to make a killing from illegal Indonesian immigrants desperate to return home for Hari Raya.
The victims had paid between RM400 (SS$167) and RM450 for a place on the barge.
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