Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officials said the boat was first detected at about 3.45am leaving Bintan Island in Indonesia. It crossed into Malaysian waters eight nautical miles from Teluk Ramunia at about 4.10am.

As the navy vessel approached, the boat sped off but capsized mid-way. Nineteen people were saved, while two were found dead.

The MMEA said a search and rescue operation began at 6.40am for the missing six.

Today’s incident follows a similar attempt by Indonesian nationals to sneak into Malaysia on Tuesday. The bodies of six women were found after the boat carrying 13 people from Pulau Batam ran into trouble off the Johor coast.

Senior coastguard official Nurul Hizam Zakaria said fishermen reported the incident after finding six survivors.

This week’s incidents come just a month after 21 Indonesians drowned after their boat capsized along the same coast.