At least 11 migrants drown off Malaysia, 25 still missing

dpa Bangkok At least 11 migrants have drowned off the southern coast of peninsular Malaysia after their vessel capsized, local media reported on Wednesday ...

dpaBangkokAt least 11 migrants have drowned off the southern coast of peninsular Malaysia after their vessel capsized, local media reported on Wednesday evening, citing rescue services.The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the country’s navy said the number of missing had been revised down to 25, after survivors said 50 people were onboard, rather than the 60 previously reported by officials.The MMEA said the boat went down at around 4:30 am (2330 GMT Tuesday) off the coast of Johor state, which borders Singapore and sits across the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade conduits, from Indonesia. Local media reported that “it was believed” the boat came from Indonesia, though officials had not confirmed this. The MMEA said it was likely the stricken vessel was carrying “undocumented migrants.” No cause was given for the capsizing.Malaysia’s factories and plantations have for decades been magnets for migrant workers from less-wealthy neighbouring countries.Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, estimates by the World Bank and International Labour Organization (ILO) suggested the country hosted at least 3 million foreign workers, around half of them working illegally as a way to avoid getting entangled in red tape.Local industries have repeatedly complained of labour shortages caused by the government keeping the border shut since March 2020 as part of its pandemic response, measures that have likely fuelled illegal or undocumented migration.