(Miri, 3rd) The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone (Zon Maritim Miri) successfully intercepted and detained a foreign fishing vessel (VNA) at 7:16 pm on October 31, approximately 70 nautical miles northwest of Miri’s Suai. Five foreign fishermen suspected of illegally entering Malaysian waters were arrested.
Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone Director, Captain Maritim Mohd Khairol Anuar bin Saad, stated that this operation was successful due to intelligence sharing and monitoring cooperation with headquarters' intelligence department, effectively preventing foreign fishing vessels from conducting illegal fishing activities in Sarawak waters.
He said the fishing vessel was spotted acting suspiciously at 5:45 pm that day. When the enforcement vessel approached, the suspects attempted to flee and showed aggressive behavior, but were ultimately intercepted and inspected by the authorities.
Upon inspection, five male crew members were found onboard, including a captain, aged between 36 and 53, all lacking any valid identification documents and suspected to be Vietnamese nationals.
Further investigation showed that the fishing vessel violated Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for fishing without a valid license in Malaysian waters; the captain also violated Section 16(3) by failing to report entry into Malaysian waters to the authorities.
Additionally, all crew members were suspected to have violated Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to produce identification documents, and they are currently under further investigation.
Khairol Anuar pointed out that, if convicted of the fisheries offenses, the captain could be fined up to RM6 million, and each crew member up to RM600,000; the vessel and fishing equipment involved may also be confiscated by the state.
For immigration offenses, the accused can be fined not more than RM10,000, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both, and may also be subject to up to six strokes of the cane under Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act.
In this operation, authorities confiscated around 200 kg of tuna, 300 liters of diesel, fishing equipment, and the vessel involved, with an estimated total value of about RM2 million.
All arrested crew members have been sent to the Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone Vessel Detention Center (PTV) for further investigation.
Khairol Anuar emphasized that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency will continue to strengthen maritime patrols and enforcement actions to ensure the nation’s waters are free from illegal intrusion and resource plundering by foreign vessels.
He also urged the public to report any suspicious activities or maritime emergencies by calling the emergency hotline 999, or contacting the Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone Operations Center (085-649111) and Sarawak Maritime Operations Center (082-432544 / 082-432016).
Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone Director, Captain Maritim Mohd Khairol Anuar bin Saad, stated that this operation was successful due to intelligence sharing and monitoring cooperation with headquarters' intelligence department, effectively preventing foreign fishing vessels from conducting illegal fishing activities in Sarawak waters.
He said the fishing vessel was spotted acting suspiciously at 5:45 pm that day. When the enforcement vessel approached, the suspects attempted to flee and showed aggressive behavior, but were ultimately intercepted and inspected by the authorities.
Upon inspection, five male crew members were found onboard, including a captain, aged between 36 and 53, all lacking any valid identification documents and suspected to be Vietnamese nationals.
Further investigation showed that the fishing vessel violated Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for fishing without a valid license in Malaysian waters; the captain also violated Section 16(3) by failing to report entry into Malaysian waters to the authorities.
Additionally, all crew members were suspected to have violated Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to produce identification documents, and they are currently under further investigation.
Khairol Anuar pointed out that, if convicted of the fisheries offenses, the captain could be fined up to RM6 million, and each crew member up to RM600,000; the vessel and fishing equipment involved may also be confiscated by the state.
For immigration offenses, the accused can be fined not more than RM10,000, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both, and may also be subject to up to six strokes of the cane under Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act.
In this operation, authorities confiscated around 200 kg of tuna, 300 liters of diesel, fishing equipment, and the vessel involved, with an estimated total value of about RM2 million.
All arrested crew members have been sent to the Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone Vessel Detention Center (PTV) for further investigation.
Khairol Anuar emphasized that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency will continue to strengthen maritime patrols and enforcement actions to ensure the nation’s waters are free from illegal intrusion and resource plundering by foreign vessels.
He also urged the public to report any suspicious activities or maritime emergencies by calling the emergency hotline 999, or contacting the Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone Operations Center (085-649111) and Sarawak Maritime Operations Center (082-432544 / 082-432016).