MMEA nabs 6 Vietnamese fishermen, seizes RM2mil in assets
KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained six Vietnamese fishermen for encroaching into Malaysian waters and carrying out illegal fishing activities, seizing assets worth nearly RM2 million.
All six, including the skipper and five crew members aged between 27 and 44, were apprehended by patrol vessel Cenderawasih 10 during a routine patrol about 13 nautical miles northeast of Pulau Tigabu, Pitas.
Kudat Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Hasbullah Omar said the arrest followed public information regarding the presence of a suspicious vessel in the area.
"Upon receiving the tip-off, Cenderawasih 10, which was conducting a routine patrol, was deployed to the reported location for further monitoring.
"The suspect attempted to flee upon realising the presence of enforcement officers. However, it was successfully intercepted and detained," he said in a statement today (June 25).
Hasbullah said checks revealed that all six crew members, including the skipper, did not possess any valid identification documents.
"Further inspection of the boat uncovered iron fishing equipment known as 'balat' and around 300 litres of diesel.
"The total estimated value of the seizure, including the vessel and equipment, is close to RM2 million. All detainees and seized items were brought to the Kudat MMEA Jetty for further investigation," he said.
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1956/63.
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