PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) accuses Indonesian authorities of intruding into Malaysian waters and detaining local fishing vessels.
MMEA deputy director-general (operations) Vice-Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som said that four Malaysian fishing vessels have been detained in this month alone.
"On Feb 2, two local vessels were detained about 68.6 nautical miles south west off Penang Island and 4.4 nautical miles within the Exclusive Economic Zone.
"A day after that, another vessel was detained 57.1 nautical miles from Tanjung Piandang, Kerian, Perak," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 13).
He added that the latest incident took place on Wednesday at 55.4 nautical miles off Pulau Talang, Perak.
"These incidents are an intrusion by a foreign force into Malaysian waters and undermines our nation's maritime sovereignty.
"We have sent a diplomatic objection notice to the Foreign Ministry to protest the incidents within our waters," he said.
He added that MMEA has increased patrols in the affected areas and urged local fishermen not to stray into foreign waters.
"We also advise them to attach Automatic Identification System (AIS), or Vessel Tracking System on their vessels," he said.
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