MIRI: The Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA ) has detained two cargo ships and a tugboat for various offences.
The vessels were detained while conducting activities at sea approximately 1.8 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Lawas yesterday afternoon.
Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad, the director of the Miri Maritime Zone, said the arrests were made by the Malaysian maritime patrol boat team during ‘Op Permai 01/2019’ and ‘Op Tiris 3.0’ in Lawas waters.
Upon further inspection, it was found that a total of 19 crew members were on board the vessels.
The crew comprised five locals, six Myanmar nationals, four Indians, and four Indonesians, aged between 19 and 65.
The detained crew and vessels were transported to Lawas jetty and handed over to the Malaysian Maritime investigation officer.
They will be investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for failing to produce valid documents during the inspection by the Malaysian Maritime Operations team.
Khairol stressed that the agency would not compromise and would take stern action against any parties that defy or violate Malaysian maritime laws.
The public is encouraged to report any complaints, information, or emergency incidents at sea by contacting the emergency line NG999, the Miri Maritime Zone Maritime Operations Centre at 085-418204, or the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544 or 082-432016 for immediate assistance.
