KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained nine men and seized two boats in Lahad Datu waters.
The boats were intercepted by the Lahad Datu MMEA Maritime Zone during Ops Pluto Timur 2/2013 and Ops Tiris 3.0, approximately 3.7 nautical miles southeast of Pulau Sakar, at 2.55pm on Friday (Dec 20).
Lahad Datu Maritime Director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali, said initial inspections revealed that the first boat was operated by an Indonesian national and a Palauh individual, while the second was manned by an Indonesian national and six Palauh individuals.
“All crew members, aged between 25 and 40, possessed valid identification documents while engaging in fishing activities,” Dzulfikhar said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 21).
He said that further inspections found that one boat had installed an unauthorised modified fuel tank and was operating with an expired licence, an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985.
“The other boat violated the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment (JPDS) for failing to report a change of captain,” he added.
Both boats and their crews were taken to the jetty before being handed over to the investigating officer for further action.
The estimated value of the seizure is RM350,000.
Dzulfikhar reaffirmed MMEA’s zero-tolerance approach to maritime law violations and pledged continued patrols and monitoring of Malaysian waters.
