KOTA KINABALU: A suspicious Local Fishing Vessel (VNT) was detained by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) off Tanjung Aru, 31.6 nautical miles west, on Monday.
The vessel, carrying a skipper and five crew, was found violating the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 by failing to meet minimum crew requirements.
Two crew members lacked valid identification or work permits, breaching the Immigration Act 1959/63.
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MMEA stressed zero tolerance for maritime law violations and pledged tighter patrols in high-risk areas.