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Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MMEA detains 7 passenger boats near Pulau Redang for overloading
One of the boats checked for overloading by the Terengganu MMEA during the operation. (APMM pic) PETALING JAYA : The Terengganu branch of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained seven passenger boats for various offences, including carrying passengers exceeding the permitted limit. This was part of a special operation conducted in the waters of Pulau Redang near Kuala Nerus yesterday. Terengganu MMEA director Hamiludin Che Awang said they inspected 26 passenger boats near the island. 'Among those detained was a boat carrying up to 42 passengers on a single journey. This had jeopardised the safety of everyone on board the boat. 'This is not a minor offence. This is a case of negligence that can cost lives,' Bernama reported him as saying today. He said MMEA would not compromise with boat operators who do not provide life jackets or who carry passengers beyond the capacity permitted. 'The public is also urged to report any high-risk activities. Maritime safety is not the sole responsibility of MMEA. Don't wait for a tragedy to happen before you act,' he said. He said other offences detected were the absence of a passenger manifest, the captain's name not matching details in the operating licence and expired licences. Hamiludin said they took action against 14 crewmen and boat captains, issuing compound fines under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. He said MMEA would intensify enforcement operations in tourist hotspots ahead of school holidays and festivals to avoid the recurrence of recent tragedies. On June 28, three local tourists, including two children, died when the boat they were on capsized near Pulau Perhentian. All 15 passengers, aged three to 40, were on their way back from Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Pulau Perhentian Besar when big waves suddenly caused the boat to capsize. Besut police chief Azamuddin Ahmad@Abu said the boat skipper tested positive for drugs and also had five previous drug-related records. He said all passengers were not wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
Seven boats detained for overloading near Pulau Redang in MMEA op
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained seven passenger boats for multiple safety violations, including overloading, during a special operation near Pulau Redang. The crackdown followed inspections of 26 boats in the area. Maritime Captain Hamiludin Che Awang, director of Terengganu MMEA, confirmed that one boat was found carrying 42 passengers in a single trip, far exceeding the permitted limit. 'This is not a minor offence. This is a case of negligence that can cost lives. Maritime Malaysia will not compromise,' he stated. Other violations included missing passenger manifests, mismatched captain details, and expired operating licences. A total of 14 crew members and boat captains, aged between 20 and 40, were investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and issued compounds. Hamiludin warned that MMEA will take strict action against operators who disregard safety protocols, such as failing to provide life jackets or overloading boats. He urged the public to report unsafe maritime activities, emphasising that safety is a shared responsibility. The enforcement operation comes after a recent tragedy near Pulau Perhentian, where three tourists, including two children, drowned when their boat capsized. Investigations revealed the skipper tested positive for drugs, and none of the passengers were wearing life jackets. MMEA plans to intensify patrols in tourist-heavy waters ahead of school holidays and festive seasons to prevent further incidents. – Bernama
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Indonesian among two held for ferrying tourists without licences
KUALA TERENGGANU: Two boat operators, including an Indonesian national, have been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for ferrying passengers to Pulau Perhentian without valid licences. Terengganu Maritime director Captain Hamiludin Che Awang said both boats were intercepted during routine patrols at 11am and 12pm yesterday. "At the time of the interceptions, one boat was travelling from Pulau Serenggeh to Long Beach, while the other was en route from Ombak Dive to a diving site at Pulau Perhentian," he said in a statement. The first boat was operated by a 35-year-old Malaysian man, and the second by a 24-year-old Indonesian man. Both individuals are being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO), which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 upon conviction. Hamiludin said that such irresponsible behaviour not only violates maritime regulations but also endangers the lives of passengers. "Unlicensed boats usually bypass technical and safety inspections, putting passengers at high risk during emergencies at sea," he said.
New Straits Times
07-06-2025
- New Straits Times
MMEA intercepts petrol cargo boat without insurance coverage
BESUT: A local cargo boat carrying petrol was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for operating without valid insurance coverage. Terengganu MMEA director Maritime Captain Hamiludin Che Awang said the boat was intercepted at 1.28pm last Thursday, 26.6 nautical miles west of Kuala Besut estuary. He said the vessel, manned by a skipper and two local crew members aged between 20 and 40, was believed to be en route to deliver petrol supplies to Pulau Redang, Kuala Nerus. "While patrolling the area under Op Iman, the maritime vessel Perkasa 48 came across the cargo boat carrying barrels of fuel and proceeded to conduct an inspection. "Checks revealed that the boat was suspected of committing an offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for operating without a valid insurance contract," he said in a statement today. Hamiludin emphasised that maritime insurance is not only a legal requirement but also crucial in ensuring the safety of crew, assets, and national waters from unforeseen risks. The boat, along with its skipper and crew, was taken to the Kuala Besut Maritime Post jetty for further investigation. "MMEA urges all shipping operators and boat owners to ensure their documents and maritime insurance coverage are always up to date and in full compliance with regulations," he said. He stressed that MMEA will not compromise on legal compliance, particularly in the state's waters, and stern action will be taken to uphold the nation's maritime security.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- The Sun
T'ganu MMEA detains two foreign fishing boats
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two Vietnamese fishing boats, with 20 crew members, who intruded into the state's waters on Sunday. Its director, Maritime Captain Hamiludin Che Awang said that both vessels were detained in Op Op Naga at 156 nautical miles off the Kuala Terengganu estuary. He said his team took three hours to intercept both boats, which tried to escape after noticing the presence of the agency's vessel KM Redang. 'When an inspection was done, all suspects failed to produce their identification documents as well as fishing permits from the Malaysian Fisheries Department. 'The seized items included two boats, seafood, fishing equipment and diesel, with an estimated worth of RM3 million,' he said in a statement today. Hamiludin said that all the fishermen, aged between 22 and 50 years, will be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and Immigration Act 1959/63. If found guilty, the skipper can be fined not more than RM1 million, with RM100,000 each for a crew member or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
