MMEA officers to face the music for flouting D-G's standing order in vessel release
The Putrajaya-based EAIC, in a statement late yesterday, said it opened an investigation after receiving a complaint that the Sarawak MMEA had released the vessel detained in Bintulu waters without adhering to protocols.
It said its investigation found that there was non-compliance related to arrest procedures as stated in the MMEA director-general's standing order by the Sarawak MMEA in relation to vessels suspected of committing an offense in the Bintulu Zone waters.
The statement did not give details of the incident in question or the name of the vessel that was released.
From news reports, the most recent interdiction by the MMEA in Bintulu waters occurred on May 4.
During routine patrols under Op Permai and Op Tiris, MMEA detained a tugboat operated by two Indian nationals, aged 20 and 28, near Sungai Kemena estuary.
The vessel was allegedly operating without a valid skipper, a violation of Section 22(2A) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1953.
Prior to this, on April 24, MMEA intercepted a Class C fishing vessel off the Penipah coast.
The boat was found fishing illegally within 12 nautical miles from shore, in breach of its licence conditions.
The skipper and six crew members, aged between 28 and 54, were detained.
The case is being investigated under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985, which provides for a fine up to RM20,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to two years or both, upon conviction.
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