MIRI: Malaysian maritime authorities have seized two foreign fishing vessels caught operating illegally in national waters off the coast of Sarawak, in a dramatic operation that involved dangerous resistance at sea.
The vessels, one from Indonesia and the other from Vietnam, were intercepted by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) approximately 38 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Suai and 31 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Niah respectively.
The operation, carried out under a coordinated maritime enforcement campaign codenamed PERMAI 01/2019, NAGA, and TIRIS 3.0, led to the arrest of eight crew members, including both skippers, aged between 25 and 53.
The Indonesian vessel was intercepted around noon, according to Miri Maritime Zone Director Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad.
A second operation hours later, acting on a public tip-off, led to the apprehension of the Vietnamese vessel at approximately 5:45pm.
But the second seizure proved far more perilous.
“As our patrol approached, the Vietnamese crew grew aggressive. They attempted dangerous evasive manoeuvre and hurled hard, sharp objects at our officers in rough sea conditions,” said Khairol.
Despite the hostility, MMEA officers managed to subdue the crew without injury and brought both vessels under control.
However, the operation to escort the seized vessels to the Miri Maritime Zone Complex took more than 18 hours due to adverse weather and the distance from the interception site.
A total of eight crew members were detained, of which five Indonesians and three Vietnamese.
They are currently being held at the Pulau Melayu Vessel Detention Center pending investigation.
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985, which stipulates penalties of up to RM6 million for the vessel skipper and RM600,000 for each crew member found guilty of fishing without a licence and encroaching into Malaysian waters.
Authorities also seized both fishing boats along with onboard fishing and navigation equipment, with the total haul estimated at RM3.3 million.
“MMEA remains resolute in defending Malaysia’s maritime sovereignty and will continue intensified patrols to deter illegal activities in our waters,” said Khairol.
The agency has urged members of the public to report any suspicious maritime activity or emergencies to the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 085-649111, Sarawak Maritime at 082-432544 or via the national emergency line at 999.
