KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized two foreign boats and arrested 16 Vietnamese nationals off the coast of Pulau Balambangan near here, in an operation codenamed Ops Pagar Laut (Sea Fence Operation).
The two captains and 14 sailors, aged between 20 and 40, were held on suspicion of illegal fishing and trespassing into Malaysian waters.
They also failed to produce valid identification documents.
District Lieutenant Commander Boon Chin Chau said the MMEA patrol vessels intercepted the two fishing boats before they could escape beyond the country's maritime border at about 2.30pm Tuesday (June 19).
"The vessels were detained for trespassing into Malaysian waters and illegal fishing.
"The boats and 16 Vietnamese nationals were then brought to the Kudat jetty for further action," he explained, adding that MMEA also confiscated fishing tools from the two foreign vessels.
Boon said the seized items and four-tonne catch amounted to about RM1mil.
The suspects are being investigated under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for illegal fishing in Malaysian waters.
Under Section 25(a) of the same Act, the captain of the fishing boat can be fined up to RM1mil, and each crew member up to RM100,000.
MMEA Sabah and Labuan regional director Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the agency will continue to track down and arrest foreign vessels that trespass Malaysian waters, including the Malaysian-Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEE).
"We will not compromise, and will continue to investigate any party or syndicate bringing in foreign fishermen to reap profits from our waters without permission, as this will only cause losses to the country," he said, adding that the situation was under control.
Mohd Zubil said 25 Vietnamese vessels have been detained between 2013 and now.
He urged the public to come forward with any information about illegal maritime activities in their respective areas.
