LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle out 340kg of cooking oil and 40kg of rice by boat on Tuesday.
District MMEA Director Commander Dr Suzanna Razali Chan said the seizure was made after an MMEA vessel intercepted a blue pump boat operated by a 29-year-old man at 0.4 nautical miles off Kampung Tandu, Felda Sahabat.
“The patrol boat successfully tracked down a pump boat through public information at 2.26am.
“Inspection revealed that the boat had committed offences under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994, the Customs Act 1967 and the Immigration Act 1959/63, (the last being for) not having any valid identification documents during the inspection,” Suzanna said in a statement.
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Besides the oil and rice, MMEA also confiscated an unregistered pump boat and two pump engines.
Dr Suzanna said the smuggling of subsidised goods was expected to increase during Ramadan and Syawal due to the higher demand.
“Therefore, the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone will increase patrols and inspections on boats, especially those in hotspots in these waters, to ensure that such activities are curbed.
“The Lahad Datu Maritime Zone also urges the entire community, especially the maritime community, to continue to cooperate by reporting any information related to misconduct or criminal activities at sea to Maritime Malaysia at 089-885727 (Lahad Datu Operations Centre) and the 24-hour MERS hotline 999.”
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