SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a cargo boat carrying an estimated four tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) in Sandakan waters over suspected licensing and documentation offences.
Sandakan Maritime Zone director Kepten Maritim Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said the enforcement action was carried out under Op Sejahtera 1/2022, Op Khas Cegah PATI (OCP) Utara Covid-19 and Op Tiris 4.0, following public information about suspicious activities in the area.
Acting on the information, MMEA personnel inspected a cargo boat spotted near a barge in Sandakan waters.
The inspection found that the boat was carrying about four tonnes of CPO. Officers also found petrol, a pump engine and two 50-horsepower outboard engines.
The boat and all the items were seized, with their total value estimated at RM63,792.
Muhamad Suhairy said the boat was suspected of committing an offence under the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Act 1998 for failing to display the required domestic movement declaration issued by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
The boat was also suspected of violating the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 by failing to display a valid boat licence.
The cargo boat and seized items were subsequently brought to the Sandakan Maritime Zone headquarters jetty for further action.
No arrests were made during the operation.
MMEA said it would continue to intensify patrols and enforcement operations to curb illegal activities and safeguard the security and sovereignty of the country’s waters.
Members of the public with information on maritime crime or emergencies may contact the Sandakan Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-229504 or call 999 for immediate assistance.
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