KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted a Vietnamese fishing vessel carrying six crew members in waters some 13 nautical miles northeast of Pulau Tigabu, near Pitas, on Monday.
MMEA Kudat Maritime Zone Director Hasbullah Omar said the interception followed a tip-off from the public.
“Upon receiving the information, patrol boat Cenderawasih 10, which was conducting routine operations, was immediately dispatched to the area to investigate,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The vessel was spotted around 5.50am, and when approached, they attempted to flee but were successfully stopped by the enforcement team.
Aboard the vessel were six Vietnamese men aged between 27 and 44, all of whom failed to produce any valid identification documents.
“A further inspection found fishing equipment made of iron, believed to be used for catching sea cucumbers (balat), as well as some 300 litres of diesel.
“All six individuals, along with the vessel and its contents, were taken into custody for further investigation. The total value of the seized items is estimated to be close to RM2 million,” said Hasbullah.
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Hasbullah urged local communities, particularly those in the maritime sector, to assist enforcement efforts by reporting any suspicious or illegal activity at sea to the Kudat Operations Centre at 088-611858 or the MMEA emergency line at 999, both of which operate 24 hours a day.