MERSING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a local fishing vessel for allegedly employing three undocumented foreign workers without approval.
Mersing Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Suhaizan Saadin stated that the vessel was intercepted at 9.30am on Saturday (March 15), about 5.9 nautical miles (10.9km) north of Pulau Pemanggil during a routine patrol under 'Ops Jaksa,' 'Ops Tiris,' and 'Ops Khas Pagar Laut.'
"Upon inspection, three out of the five crew members were found to be Myanmar nationals who lacked proper work permits and identification documents," he said in a statement on Sunday (March 16).
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
He also warned that strict action would be taken against vessel owners found hiring undocumented foreign workers.
"MMEA will not compromise on violations of fisheries and immigration laws. Vessel owners must ensure that all crew members have valid work permits to avoid legal consequences," he added.
The vessel and all five crew members—comprising two locals, including the skipper, and three foreign nationals aged between 40 and 52—were escorted to the MMEA Teluk Gading Maritime Post for further investigation.
The public can report any maritime crime or emergencies to the Johor MMEA Operations Centre at 07-219 9404 or via the emergency hotline at 999.
