SANDAKAN: A tugboat carrying approximately 10,000 litres of diesel, believed without valid documents or authorisation, was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in the waters off here early Sunday.
MMEA Sandakan Zone Director Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said the tugboat which was travelling in Sandakan waters was ordered to stop for inspection.
“Inspection found the tugboat was carrying approximately 10,000 litres of diesel, believed without valid documents or authorisation,” he said, adding two local men, aged 36 and 39, were also detained.
The tugboat and the diesel, worth RM552,000, were detained for further investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possessing or storing scheduled controlled goods without authorisation.
Investigations are also being conducted under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 (MSO) after the vessel failed to produce valid Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance and was found to have insufficient number of crew members as required under its licence.
Muhamad Suhairy said MMEA would continue to intensify enforcement operations in Malaysian waters to curb smuggling of controlled goods, particularly subsidised diesel.
“These efforts are important to safeguard the interests of the public and ensure the continued availability of controlled goods for the community,” he said.
Members of the public with information on criminal activities or emergencies at sea are urged to contact the Sandakan Zone Maritime Operations Centre at 089-229504 or the emergency line 999 for immediate action.
