KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two fishing boats carrying 43 individuals suspected of attempting to enter the country illegally through Kudat waters yesterday.
Kudat MMEA director Maritime Commander Maurice Grenville Abeyeratne said MMEA patrol boats spotted both fishing boats acting suspiciously in the area during patrols under Operations Tiris, Pluto Timur and Op Khas Pagar Laut.
Maurice said the first boat was detained at a position 7.6 nautical miles from Tanjung Simpang Mengayau while the second boat was detained at a position 6.6 nautical miles from Pulau Kalutan, Balambangan.
Both boats were suspected to be from Tawi-Tawi Island and heading towards Kota Kinabalu.
Maurice said of the total, 35 individuals were suspected to be Filipinos with dubious identification documents, while the remaining eight were locals.
He added that the case is being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, the Immigration Act 1959/63, and the Sabah Port and Wharf Enactment 2002.
He also urged the public, especially the maritime community in Kudat, to report any misconduct or criminal activities at sea to the MMEA.
