MELAKA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a tanker off Kuala Melaka on suspicion of storing 50 tonnes of diesel worth RM180,000 without valid documentation.
Melaka and Negri Sembilan MMEA director Maritime Capt Salehuddin Zakaria said the vessel was intercepted by a patrol boat during an operation in the Straits of Malacca.
He said the team detected a tanker anchored about 0.5 nautical miles (0.92km) south-west of the coast on Sunday (Nov 9).
"Upon inspection, approximately 50 tonnes of a substance believed to be diesel were found in its tanks," he said on Monday (Nov 10).
Capt Salehuddin said the tanker crew failed to produce any purchase invoices or documents verifying ownership of the fuel.
"The vessel originated from Batam, Indonesia, and is believed to have taken on the diesel in Melaka waters to be transported out of the country without authorisation or documentation," he said.
Capt Salehuddin said the vessel was operated by five Indonesian crew members aged 20 to 46, who are suspected of offences under the Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Salehuddin added that MMEA will continue surveillance and enforcement operations in national waters to curb fuel misappropriation and smuggling that threaten both economic stability and maritime security.
