The Hari Raya celebration will be a sombre one for families of the three dead passengers of Tanjung Ketapang boat capsize tragedy in Muar early Thursday morning.

The boat was carrying 21 illegal immigrants (PATI) en route to Tanjung Bengkalis, Indonesia before it capsized after being hit by fierce waves, said Southern Region Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) operations director Captain Iskandar Ishak.

The survivors, aged between 19 and 41 were rescued by a sea boat, were reportedly on their home to celebrate the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

According to one of the survivors, Muhammad Nor Friadi it was his first experience working as a boat attendant with a meagre wage of RM450. All he wanted to do was to get a free ride home.

Nor Friadi along with the other survivors are now placed at MMEA office for further investigation.

The Tanjung Ketapang boat capsize marks the second tragedy within 10 days as another boat carrying about 70 illegal immigrants had capsized in Tanjung Piai waters where 12 passengers died.