MMEA detains a local fishing vessel with an expired licence near Pulau Pangkor, crewed by 22 foreign nationals with valid documents.
IPOH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a local fishing vessel in the waters off Pulau Pangkor for operating with an expired licence.
The vessel was intercepted at about 4.38 pm, approximately eight nautical miles west of the island, during a routine patrol operation.
Perak MMEA director Captain (Maritime) Mohamad Shukri Khotob (pic) said an inspection found the vessel was crewed by 22 foreign nationals.
“The inspection also revealed that the vessel was crewed by four Thai nationals and 18 Cambodians, all of whom have valid identification documents,” he said in a statement.
The vessel, its crew, along with all fishing gear and catch were subsequently detained.
They were taken to the Kampung Acheh marine police jetty for further action.
The case has been handed over to an investigating officer for action under the Fisheries Act 1985.
Mohamad Shukri stressed the agency’s firm stance against maritime violations.
He said the MMEA would be uncompromising towards any violation of maritime law, especially operating vessels without valid licences.
