(Bintulu, April 8) The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) at the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone today detained a tugboat approximately 5 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Kemena, Bintulu, for failing to present a valid Domestic Shipping License (DSL).
The Director of the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone, Captain Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah, stated that enforcement officers, during the 'Special Operation Ocean Barrier 1/2025' (OP Pagar Laut 1/2025), 'Operation TIRIS 3.0', and 'Operation PERMAI 01/2019', conducted an inspection of the white tugboat heading to the open sea at 12:10 PM today.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the vessel is operated by a 28-year-old Myanmar national captain and a 27-year-old Indian crew member.”
Authorities suspect that the tugboat violated Section 19 of the Domestic Shipping Licensing Board Regulations 1981, by not holding a valid Domestic Shipping License on board, which carries a penalty of up to RM5,000 if found guilty.
Currently, enforcement officers have taken the tugboat along with relevant documents into custody and brought them back to the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Vessel Detention Center for further investigation.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency also reminds all maritime operators to adhere to all legal requirements before undertaking any sea activities to avoid legal violations.
If the public notices any suspicious maritime activities or emergencies, they can call the emergency hotline 999, or contact the Bintulu Maritime Enforcement Zone Operations Center (086-314254) or the Sarawak State Maritime Operations Center (082-432544), both of which provide 24-hour service.