LAHAD DATU: A local fishing boat was apprehended by the Lahad Datu Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for operating illegally less than 1.5 nautical miles from shore on Sunday.
MMEA Lahad Datu director, Komander Maritim Dzulfikhar Ali, on Monday stated a MMEA boat on patrol during Op Pluto Timur 2/2013 and Op Tiris 3.0 spotted the vessel at 11.45 am near Tabawan Island, Kunak. The boat was later intercepted 0.4 nautical miles north of Pulau Timbun Mata.
“Initial inspections revealed the boat was operated by one local and three Filipino crew members, aged between 27 and 39. They possessed valid identification documents,” Dzulfikhar explained.
He confirmed the case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for breaching licensing terms, which prohibit fishing activities within the designated coastal zone.
The boat and its crew were towed to Lahad Datu Fisheries jetty for further action.
“MMEA will continue intensifying patrols and monitoring efforts. We will not tolerate any violations of maritime laws,” Dzulfikhar emphasized. – James Leong
