PETALING JAYA: Two passenger boats were detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for allegedly breaching licence conditions during an enforcement operation off Kuala Selangor, Port Klang.
Selangor MMEA director Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the boats were intercepted about four nautical miles from the Kuala Selangor estuary during Ops Ehsan, Ops Tiris 4.0, Ops Khas Tanjung Siri 2/2026 and a two-day joint operation with the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS).
The first boat was stopped at about 1.45pm for a routine inspection and was being operated by a 48-year-old local man.
"Checks found that the vessel's operating licence and insurance coverage had expired, rendering it in breach of its operating conditions," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 5).
A second passenger boat, operated by a 41-year-old local skipper, was detained at about 2.17pm.
"Inspection found that the boat was carrying more passengers than permitted. The skipper operating the vessel was also not listed under the valid operating licence," Abdul Muhaimin said.
Both boats and their skippers were escorted to the Marine Police Force jetty in Pulau Indah before being handed over to MMEA investigating officers for further action.
He said the first case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for operating a passenger boat with an expired operating licence and insurance.
The second case is also being investigated under the same ordinance for exceeding the permitted passenger capacity and failing to comply with licence conditions by allowing an unlisted skipper to operate the vessel.
Abdul Muhaimin said the agency would not compromise against operators who fail to comply with licensing requirements and maritime safety regulations, as such negligence could endanger the lives of passengers and other sea users.
He urged maritime operators to ensure their operating licences, insurance coverage and all licensing conditions are valid and fully complied with before carrying out activities at sea.
