MELAKA: A tanker found carrying about 50 metric tonnes of diesel valued at nearly RM180,000 has been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Melaka waters over a lack of valid documents.
Melaka and Negri Sembilan MMEA director Maritime Capt Salehuddin Zakaria said the vessel was intercepted at 3.45pm on Saturday by an agency patrol boat conducting operations under Op Murni and Op Tiris 3.0, about one nautical mile southwest of Pulau Melaka.
“The tanker was found to be carrying about 50 metric tonnes of fuel, believed to be diesel, without valid documents, and was operated by five Indonesian crew members aged between 21 and 62.
“The skipper also failed to produce a purchase invoice and did not declare the cargo in the port clearance documents,” Capt Salehuddin said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
He said the vessel had been detained and the case was being investigated under the Customs Act 1967 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possession of controlled goods without a valid permit and failure to comply with cargo declaration regulations.
Capt Salehuddin added that the MMEA remained committed to intensifying surveillance in national waters to curb misappropriation and fuel smuggling activities, which could undermine the country’s economy and well-being.
