GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) have detained three locals for allegedly trespassing into the Protected Areas and Protected Places (KLTL) beneath the Penang Bridge during an ops in the Penang waters.
Penang MMEA director, Maritime Capt Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said the suspects were detained at about 1.30pm on Monday (Aug 3) while an MMEA patrol boat was conducting a routine patrol.
He said inspections at one of the bridge pillars found two men and a woman in the gazetted Protected Areas and Protected Places without permission.
"The suspects are believed to have committed an offence under Section 447 of the Penal Code for criminal trespass.
"They were detained before being escorted to the Marine Police Force jetty in Batu Uban and handed over to the investigating officer at the Penang MMEA headquarters for further action," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 4).
Capt Muhammad Suffi said the enforcement action was aimed not only at ensuring compliance with the law but at raising awareness among the maritime community and the public on the importance of observing restrictions in gazetted prohibited areas.
He said the waters beneath the Penang Bridge and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge are gazetted as Protected Areas and Protected Places covering a 250m buffer zone on both sides of the bridges.
"We (the MMEA) advise the public not to enter restricted areas without permission to avoid legal action and to safeguard public safety as well as the country's critical infrastructure," he said.
Those with information on suspicious activities or emergencies at sea are urged to contact the Penang MMEA Operations Centre (04-2626146) or call 999 for immediate action.
