Handout photo shows the fishing vessel that was detained by MMEA.
KUCHING (Nov 23): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak has detained a local fishing vessel for employing foreign workers without proper authorisation off Tanjung Muara Tebas last night.
In a statement, Sarawak Maritime Director First Admiral Kamal Ariffin Jusoh said the vessel was intercepted at 11.24pm, approximately 1.21 nautical miles east of Tanjung Muara Tebas, during a patrol conducted under Op Permai and Op Tiris while en route to Tanjung Bako Jetty.
“Upon inspection, it was discovered that the vessel was operated by a Thai skipper, with five Cambodian and two Indonesian crew members, aged between 23 and 64 years old,” he said.
Further examination revealed that the captain did not possess the necessary authorisation from the Director of the Malaysian Fisheries Department to employ foreign crew members, he added.
The case will be investigated under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985.
The vessel and all crew members were escorted to the Tun Abang Salahuddin Maritime Complex (Komtas) Jetty in Kuching before being handed over to MMEA investigation officers for further action.
Meanwhile, Kamal said MMEA will continue patrolling and monitoring for any violations of maritime laws related to fishing activities within Malaysian Maritime Zones.
The public is encouraged to report any complaints, information, or emergencies at sea to the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544 or the emergency hotline 999 for immediate response.
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