LAHAD DATU: A fishing boat was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here after it was found operating using an expired licence during a patrol in Tabawan waters on Sunday.
MMEA Lahad Datu director Komander Maritim Dzulfikhar Ali, said the boat was detained at 4.15 pm about 0.6 nautical miles southeast of Katung Island. The arrest was made by MMEA patrol boat personnel conducting ‘Op PLUTO TIMUR 2/2023’ and Op TIRIS 3.0.
Elaborating on the incident, he stated that initial inspections found the boat was operated by two Filipino crew members, aged 44 and 49, both of whom possessed valid personal identification documents.
“However, further checks on operational documents revealed the fishing boat was in violation of the Fisheries Act 1985 for using an expired licence,” Dzulfikhar added.
He also stressed that MMEA will not compromise with any fishing vessel operators who fail to renew their licences or engage in illegal operations, in accordance with the provisions of the law in force.
Following the arrest, the boat and crew were brought to the Lahad Datu MMEA Jetty for further action.
Meanwhile, Dzulfikhar called upon the maritime community to always comply with maritime laws and to relay any information regarding suspicious activities via the WhatsApp application at 016-9305727 or the emergency hotline 999. – James Leong
MMEA personnel check the fishing boat in Tabawan waters on Sunday.
