KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a wooden boat with five Indonesian crew members for suspected involvement in scrap metal theft in the water off eastern Johor yesterday.
Johor MMEA Tanjung Sedili acting director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said that the agency received a report from the Johor Port Authority (LPJ) about a tug boat BONGAWAN 9 ferrying scrap metal being boarded by several suspects at 3.8 nautical miles south of Tanjung Penyusop here, at 10.45 am yesterday.
He said the suspects were believed to be trying to steal the scrap metal from the barge that was on its way from Labuan to Port Klang at 3.8 nautical miles south of Tanjung Penyusop here, at 10.45 am yesterday.
“A patrol boat was deployed to the scene of the incident.
“Aware of the presence of MMEA personnel, the suspects attempted to flee but were successfully detained at 3.6 nautical miles south of Tanjung Penyusop here, at 11.50 am,“ he said at a press conference at the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone here today.
“All male crew members, aged 31 to 53, were detained and taken to the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone for further action.
“However, the suspects’ wooden boat full of stolen goods obtained from the barge HEXAGRO 9, while being escorted to the Pengerang Maritime Post, had suffered a leak and capsized two nautical miles from Tanjung Bulat.
He added that the case was investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and all of them were remanded for 14 days, starting today.
