Kota Kinabalu: Thirty-seven Vietnamese fishermen were charged at the Sessions Court, Monday, with illegal fishing in Malaysian waters last month.
Manh, the 41-year-old skipper and crew Hai, Tran Nhi, Tinh Thach, Hoa, Thanh, Son, Minh, Quang, Nam, Nhan, Tuan, Thinh, Phan, Toan, Squ, Viet, Phuc, Dang, Quoc, Tien Ao Nag, Thanhh, Binh, Tien Chu Cai, Quong, Sinh, Vo, Be, Lam, Doa, Chung, Gia Hiuy, Lao, Truong, Ba, Thuo, The Anh, aged between 22 and 61, who appeared before Judge Elsie Primus, pleaded guilty through a Vietnamese interpreter.
The 37 admitted to fishing without any authorisation issued by the Director General of Fisheries Malaysia at 12.35pm on June 11, this year on board of a foreign fishing boat approximately 106 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, Kudat.
They were charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and punishable under Section 25(a) of the same Act and read together under Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for a fine of up to RM6 million for the vessel skipper, and RM600,000 for each crew of the vessel, on conviction.
Counsel Mohd Al-Hafidz Mohd Lokman representing all accused informed the court that he wanted to proceed with plea bargaining and would write to the Senior Federal Counsel’s office.
Elsie set Aug 26 for plea bargaining.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Nurun Nazifah Muhammad Iyen prosecuted.
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