PETALING JAYA: A Chinese ship seized for illegally salvaging British World War 2 wrecks in Malaysian waters was employed by a Malaysian company, claims the Chinese Embassy.
"Based on information available, the ship operated in Malaysian waters was under the employment of a local Malaysian company.
"We hope the Malaysian side could handle the case justly in accordance with the law, earnestly protect the security and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and report the progress of the investigation in a timely manner," an embassy spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday (May 31).
On Monday (May 29), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said it had seized a China-registered bulk carrier ship carrying cannon shells believed to be from World War 2.
MMEA said the ship registered in Fuzhou, China, with a 32 crew failed to present anchoring permits during a routine inspection in waters off Johor on Sunday (May 28).
The 32-man crew included 21 Chinese natives, 10 Bangladeshi natives and one Malaysian, all aged from 23- to 57 years old.
Authorities also found scrap metals on the ship.
MMEA added that the wrecks found on the ship could be related to a separate seizure of unexploded artillery off Johor waters on May 19.
