The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) arrested 18 Indonesian illegal immigrants who were trying to land on the Batu Layar coastal area in Bandar Penawar, Johor yesterday.

The Malaysian 3rd Infantry Division headquarters said the 13 men and five women suspects, aged between 24 and 43, were in a boat which was intercepted by the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) about 500 metres from the shore.

The QRF also seized some cash and 10 handphones, all worth about RM3,964, it said in a statement today.

The suspects were taken to the Tanjung Sepang Tactical Headquarters according to the COVID-19 standard operating procedure for handling detainees, it added.

-- BERNAMA