KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained an Indonesian-registered cargo vessel for anchoring illegally in east Johor waters near here.
Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria (pic) said the ship was apprehended by the enforcement agency at 1.33pm on Saturday (Jan 29), 30.7 nautical miles (56km) east of Tanjung Sedili Kechil.
"Inspection onboard finds that the ship was crewed by 20 men from Indonesia aged between 21 and 47, all with valid travel documents.
"However, the vessel does not possess any valid anchoring permit issued by the Marine Department which is a violation of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952," he said in a statement here on Sunday (Jan 30).
He added that the 120m vessel was seized and would be investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which was punishable with a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both.
"We will continue to patrol and monitor our border to ensure the safety and security of the state," he added.
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