Latest news with #HasbullahOmar
Daily Express
13-05-2025
- Daily Express
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency intercepts Vietnamese fishing vessels off Kudat
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency intercepts Vietnamese fishing vessels off Kudat KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted and thwarted an attempt by two Vietnamese fishing vessels (pic below) actively plundering the country's marine resources in the waters of Kudat, recently. Kudat Maritime Zone Director Hasbullah Omar, said the success was the result of a tip-off received by the agency. Advertisement He said following the information, the Kudat Maritime Zone patrol asset, Bot Cenderawasih 10, which was conducting Op Pluto Timur, Op Cegah Pati and Op Naga Timur, was deployed to the location. 'Upon arriving at the target area about 4.2 nautical miles northeast of Latoan Island, the operation team detected two Vietnamese vessels engaged in illegal fishing activities. SPONSORED CONTENT 'As the team approached, the suspects were seen cut their tow lines, leaving long trailing ropes at the stern of the vessels and installed iron bars on the left and right sides of the boats, refusing to cooperate when ordered to stop. 'However, their trick failed after a 15-minute chase, during which MMEA personnel successfully boarded the vessels to halt them,' he said. Advertisement He said, upon inspection, both fishing boats were suspected of engaging in trawling and collecting sea cucumbers, as specially designed solid iron equipment for harvesting sea cucumbers was discovered. He added that checks on both vessels also uncovered some 20kg of wet sea cucumbers and around 2,000 litres of diesel fuel. Advertisement He said 11 Vietnamese nationals, aged between 25 and 54, were detained for lacking valid identification documents. All detainees, along with seized items, including the vessels and marine products estimated to be worth over RM4 million, were escorted to the jetty for further investigation under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1956/63. Hasbullah expressed MMEA's deepest gratitude for the cooperation extended by the public, particularly the maritime community around Kudat waters, for consistently providing information on crimes and misconduct in the area.
The Star
23-04-2025
- The Star
Frozen clams and pangolins worth RM100,000 seized in Kudat waters
Maritime officers displaying the RM100,000 wildlife haul seized off Kudat waters. KOTA KINABALU: A covert attempt to smuggle exotic food items involving endangered species was foiled by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) during a special operation off Kudat waters on Tuesday (April 22). MMEA Kudat Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Hasbullah Omar said the bust was made following intelligence by the Maritime Intelligence Unit, which detected suspicious activity in the waters of Selat Malawali around 2am. Acting on the tip-off, patrol boat Kilat 48, which was already on a special operation, was deployed to the location and intercepted an unlit boat about 1.8 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Layang-layang, Pitas. 'No individuals were found on board during inspection, but a thorough search led to a shocking discovery,' he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 23). Among the items seized were 20 polystyrene boxes containing frozen giant clams (kima) weighing around 500kg, eight sacks of dried kima weighing over 200kg, and five polystyrene boxes filled with frozen pangolins estimated to weigh 100kg. The contraband, believed to be destined for a neighbouring country with high demand for exotic meats and illegal wildlife products, is estimated to be worth more than RM100,000. The vessel and its contents were towed to the Kudat Marina Jetty for further investigation. The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and the Fisheries Act 1985 for attempting to smuggle endangered species and handling marine produce without valid permits. MMEA has urged the public, especially the maritime community, to report any information related to smuggling or maritime crimes by calling the Kudat Operations Centre at 088-611858 or the 24-hour emergency line at 999.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- New Straits Times
Smuggling attempt of pangolins, giant clams foiled
Pictures courtesy of Sabah MMEA KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has foiled a smuggling attempt of pangolins and giant clams to a neighbouring country. The agency seized five boxes containing frozen pangolins with an estimated weight of 100kg, 20 boxes containing frozen giant clams weighing about 500kg, as well as eight sacks of dried giant clams weighing more than 200kg. Kudat Maritime zone director, maritime commander Hasbullah Omar, said a tip-off indicated suspicious activity off Malawali Strait. "Acting on the tip-off, Patrol Boat KILAT 48 was dispatched to the location and detected an unlit boat about 1.8 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Layang-layang, Pitas. "Upon inspection, there were no individuals on the boat, but further search revealed shocking items," he said in a statement, adding the raid was around 2am yesterday. The boat and its valuable cargo, estimated to be worth over RM100,000, were seized and brought to the Kudat Marina Jetty for further investigation. The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and the Fisheries Act 1985 for attempting to smuggle endangered animal species and handling marine products without valid authorisation. It is understood that all seized items were believed to be intended for a neighboring country with a high demand for exotic food and prohibited wildlife products. In Sabah, the pangolin (Manis javanica) is a "totally protected" species under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. It is also listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 2019, Sabah recorded the largest pangolin bust involving the seizure of 30 tonnes of pangolins and pangolin products. It is learnt that this case has yet to have any legal action. Pangolin poaching and illegal trade can lead to a fine of up to RM250,000 and a jail term of up to five years, or both. Giant clams are ecologically important for coral reef ecosystems, playing roles as reef builders, habitat providers, and water filterers.
Borneo Post
23-04-2025
- Borneo Post
Exotic food smuggling attempt foiled in Kudat
Hasbullah (right) and an officer inspecting the seized exotic food in Kudat. KUDAT (April 23): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) thwarted an attempt to smuggle exotic food worth RM100,000 in Kudat waters early Wednesday. MMEA Kudat director Maritime Commander Hasbullah Omar said the Malaysian Maritime Intelligence Unit detected suspicious activity in the Malawali Strait around 2am and dispatched a patrol vessel to investigate. Authorities later found an abandoned boat 1.8 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Layang-layang, Pitas. 'No one was on board, so our personnel conducted an inspection and discovered 20 polystyrene boxes of frozen clams (500kg), eight sacks of dried clams (200kg), and five boxes of frozen pangolins (100kg),' said Hasbullah in a statement. He added that the exotic goods were likely destined for neighboring countries with high demand for illegal wildlife products. The boat and its cargo were seized and brought to the Kudat Marina Jetty for further investigation. The case is being probed under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and the Fisheries Act 1985 for smuggling endangered species and possessing marine products without a valid permit. MMEA urges the public to report maritime crimes via 088-611858 (Kudat Operations Centre) or the 24-hour emergency line 999.
