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Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Daily Express
Philippine cross-border bids thwarted
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Winnie Kasmir Text Size: SANDAKAN: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) thwarted two cross-border attempts from the Philippines near northeast Pulau Berhala in separate operations, Tuesday. Sandakan Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain, said in the first incident around 11.49am, Kapal Maritim Pintar (Km Pintar) detected a suspicious vessel about one nautical mile northeast of Pulau Berhala, believed to have departed from Taganak Island, Philippines and was heading into Malaysian waters. Advertisement He said, the vessel, registered under a cargo licence, was found to be carrying 14 individuals including a skipper, comprising 12 men and three women, aged between eight and 70. 'Most of the passengers were non-citizens and did not possess any valid identification documents. 'One of the passengers attempted to bribe an enforcement officer with cash, but the attempt was promptly rejected, and the money was confiscated as evidence,' he said in a statement, Wednesday. The vessel and its passengers were detained and brought to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty at 2.53pm for further action. Advertisement The case is being investigated under the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002, Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. In a separate operation at around 12 noon on the same day, another vessel with no registration number – dubbed a 'ghost boat' – was intercepted approximately 4.3 nautical miles from Pulau Berhala. Suhairy said inspections revealed that the boat was operated by a Filipino skipper who only possessed a MyKas identity document, along with two foreign crew members and one Malaysian. According to him, further inspection uncovered 12 jerry cans filled with an estimated 300 litres of petrol, in addition to 700 litres stored in the main tank to power three 250-horsepower outboard engines. 'The fuel is believed to be used for regular travel between Malaysia and the Philippines,' he said. Offences detected included operating an unregistered and unlicensed boat under the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 and transporting fuel without a valid permit under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. 'This is more than just an illegal boat – it is a floating death trap loaded with flammable materials and no safety features. The vessel is suspected to be involved in covert cross-border activities,' he said. All suspects and vessels have been taken to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty for further investigation by MMEA investigators. 'We reiterate our commitment to tightening border control and will not compromise on any attempts involving smuggling, human trafficking, or illegal entry,' he said. The public is urged to channel any information through the emergency line 999 or contact the Sandakan Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-229504 for immediate action. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
13-05-2025
- Borneo Post
MMEA detains tugboat towing barge laden with logs in Bintulu
The tugboat, barge, and their crew have been detained for further investigation. BINTULU (May 13): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Zone detained a tugboat approximately one nautical mile northwest of the Kemena River estuary yesterday. Bintulu Maritime Zone director Capt Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said during a routine patrol, the enforcement team inspected the tugboat, which was towing a barge laden with timber logs. He said at the time of inspection, the tugboat was travelling from Kudat, Sabah to Bintulu waters. 'Initial checks revealed the vessel was manned by six crew members, comprising a Myanmar national as a skipper, two local crew members, and two Indian nationals aged between 26 and 64 years,' he said. Muhammad Suffian said the tugboat is believed to have committed an offence under Section 65F (2) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952, for submitting false or inconsistent information compared to that stated in the Domestic Shipping License (DSL), which provides for an RM2,500 fine upon conviction. The tugboat and its crew were detained and escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre before being handed over to MMEA investigators for further action. For any complaints or emergencies contact the Bintulu Maritime Zone Operations Centre on 086-314 254 or the Sarawak Maritime State Operations Centre on 082-432544. kemena river lead MMEA Bintulu Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah
