The skipper could be fined up to RM1 million, while the crew could be fined up to RM600,000, if convicted. – Photo by Jenifer Laeng
MIRI (Nov 21): Three Indonesian fishermen, including a skipper, were slapped with a fine between RM250,000 and RM1 million by the Sessions Court today for encroaching into Malaysian waters.
The Court also ordered the accused to be referred to the Immigration Department for deportation after completing their prison sentences.
The skipper, Adi Yur Dani, 38, along with the crew members Dedi Antoni, 36, and Zulkapli Aidi, 22, were charged under Section 16 (3) of the Fisheries Act 1985 read together with Section 25 (a) of the same Act.
Under this offence, the skipper could be fined up to RM1 million, while the crew could be fined up to RM600,000, if convicted.
According to the case file, the foreign fishing vessel was spotted at around 5pm on Nov 9 when a team from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) were monitoring the waters off Miri.
The vessel, detained at 5.15pm about 48 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Payung, Miri, was found to be fishing in Malaysian waters without a valid permit from the director-general of Fisheries Malaysia.
Subsequently, the vessel was seized and the trio were arrested and escorted to the Miri Vessel Detention Centre (PTV) jetty for further action.
The court fined the skipper RM1 million in default eight months’ jail and the two crew members RM250,000 each in default six months’ jail for committing the offence.
The court also ordered for the seized case materials and fish auction proceeds to be forfeited to the Malaysian government.
Deputy Prosecutor Muhamad Azham Marwan prosecuted while the accused were unrepresented by counsel.
The three accused failed to pay the fine.
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