KOTA KINABALU: An attempt to smuggle about seven tonnes of crude palm oil failed when the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted a boat during an operation in Sandakan waters early Monday morning (March 16).
However, several suspects on the board fled into the mangrove forest after realising the MMEA patrol boat was present, about 0.5 nautical miles northwest of Ulu Sibuga in Sandakan.
Sandakan Maritime Zone director, Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain, said the suspects abandoned their vessel as the MMEA patrol boat conducted monitoring and intelligence gathering under Op Khas Pagar Laut 1/2026.
“Checks revealed the vessel was carrying about seven tonnes of crude palm oil suspected to be without a valid permit or authorisation from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB),” he said in a statement.
He added that the case is being investigated under the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Act 1998 (Act 582) for failing to display a Domestic Movement Declaration (MPOB).
“The case is also being investigated under the Sabah Ports and Wharves Enactment 2002 and the Ports and Wharves (Licensed Small Vessels Sabah) Regulations 2008 for failing to display a licence, failing to show a registration number, and transporting crude palm oil without authorisation from the Sabah Ports and Wharves Department (JPDS).
“The vessel and its cargo, estimated to be worth RM75,000, were escorted to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty for further investigation by MMEA officers in cooperation with MPOB,” he said.
Suhairy stressed that MMEA will continue to tighten patrols and enforcement to combat any violations of the law in national waters.
“Public with information can channel it to the Sandakan Maritime Operations Centre at 089-229504 or the emergency line 999 to enable immediate action,” he added.
It is believed that the crude palm oil was bound for a neighbouring country.
