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Zuo Ci
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Wednesday January 26, 2011
Notorious pirates nabbed
By HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH
[email protected]
MUAR: A notorious group of sea robbers, known as Gang Rupat from Indonesia, have been captured following a stakeout near Parit Jawa here.
The robbers, aged between 18 and 45, were detained by two marine police units in the Malacca Straits on Monday night.
Marine police (Region 2) deputy chief Supt N. Kalai Chelvan said the units also seized a vessel with two outboard engines, several machetes, knives, tools and two cellular handsets.
The gang was believed to be involved in robberies like stealing fishing boats, nets, outboard engines and even motorcycles here since 2008.
No Jack Sparrows: Supt Kalai looking at the seven pirates from Indonesia (seated on the floor) as they were being questioned by one of his men at the Muar marine police jetty yesterday.
“Our counterpart in Sumatra also informed us that the group is very notorious,” he told reporters at the Muar marine police jetty yesterday.
Supt Kalai Chelvan said one of the outboard engines used by the group was reported stolen by a fisherman in Merlimau, Malacca, last year.
He said the Muar marine intelligence unit received a tip-off that the robbers would be entering Malaysian waters at about 5pm and despatched two units.
He said one unit, headed by Kpl Iskandar Mat Jabil, went to the sea in a craft, while another, headed by Kpl Mohd Landa Hasbulah, monitored on land.
He said when the sea unit arrived near Parit Jawa the team spotted a boat with seven men and gave chase, adding that they managed to capture the gang members at 11.45pm.
He said the robbers, including their leader, had no valid documents and would be charged under Section 379/411 of the Penal Code for possession of stolen items and intention to steal.
They will also be charged under Section 61(C) of the Immigration Act for not having valid travel documents.
