Latest news with #OpPermai
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
MMEA detains tugboat in Bintulu waters for breaching licence
The local skipper and Indonesian crew detained during the routine patrol. – MMEA photo BINTULU (Aug 8): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Zone detained a tugboat during a routine patrol in Bintulu waters yesterday afternoon. Bintulu Maritime Zone director Capt Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah said the vessel was stopped around 1.50pm at 4.6 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Sungai Kemena during Op Tiris 3.0 and Op Permai 01/2019 for allegedly breaching licence conditions. Initial checks found the boat was operated by a local skipper and two Indonesian crewmen aged between 23 and 42. 'The vessel is suspected of committing an offence under Section 474(2) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952, namely using a foreign crew member to catch fish in breach of licence conditions. 'If convicted, the offence carries a fine or compound,' Muhammad Suffian said in a statement today. The boat and its crew were escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre before being handed over to MMEA's investigating officer for further action. Muhammad Suffian reminded the maritime community to always comply with maritime laws and safety procedures to prevent unwanted incidents at sea. Members of the public with information, complaints, or emergencies at sea can contact the Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999, Bintulu Maritime Zone Operations Centre on 086-314254, or the Sarawak Maritime State Operations Centre on 082-432544 for immediate assistance. lead MMEA Bintulu Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- New Straits Times
MMEA officers to face the music for flouting D-G's standing order in vessel release
KUCHING:The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has recommended the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) disciplinary authority take action against its Sarawak -based officers who released a detained vessel without complying with the MMEA director- general's standing order. 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.
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Tugboat, foreign crewmen nabbed off Kuala Baram for failing to report change of captain
MMEA photo shows the detained tugboat crew. MIRI (May 8): A tugboat was detained in the waters of Kuala Bakam here Wednesday for breaching the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 by failing to report the change of captain. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri director Captain (M) Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said a patrol team intercepted the vessel about 10.7 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Bakam at about 1.40pm. 'An inspection found that the crew failed to report the change of captain to the port officer, which is an offence under the MSO 1952. 'As a result, the MMEA team detained the eight crew members on board, all of whom are Indonesian nationals aged between 26 and 57,' he said in a statement. Mohd Khairol said the inspection was conducted as part of enforcement operations under Op Permai 01/2019, Op Naga Timur, Op Tiris 3.0, and Op Khas Pagar Laut 1/2025. He said MMEA is committed to enforcing the law in the country's maritime zones and will not compromise with any offenders. The tugboat and its crew were later escorted to the Miri Vessel Detention Centre for further action. To channel information, file complaints, or report emergencies at sea, the public can contact MMEA Miri on 085-649111, MMEA Sarawak on 082-432544/082-432016, or the 999 emergency hotline. crew detain Kuala Baram MMEA tugboat
