GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a local fishing boat about 7.3 nautical miles south-east of Pulau Rimau here on Friday (Feb 12).
State MMEA director Capt Abd Razak Mohamed said the boat, with three Rohingya crewmen, was stopped during an operation code-named Ops Benteng Laut and Ops Pertiwi at about 6.30pm.
"During an inspection, we found that the suspects had valid UNHCR cards, but did not have any permit to fish in Malaysian waters," he said Saturday (Feb 13).
Capt Abd Razak said the fishing boat was seized under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985, which is the hiring of foreigners under the Fisheries Act 1985, where a compound would be issued upon conviction.
He also urged those with information, especially fishermen, to report to MMEA and other maritime agencies for any suspicious activities within Malaysian waters.
