(Miri, 27th) Malaysian maritime enforcement officers stated that during a routine patrol on Wednesday (February 25), a tugboat suspected of violating merchant shipping regulations was detained off the Kuala Lawas coast.
This interception was carried out by the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri Zone, about 2.5 nautical miles north of Kuala Lawas, at around 1:05 pm, as part of the joint patrol Ops Permai 01/19 and Ops Tiris 3.0.
Maritime zone chief Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad stated that preliminary inspection found the tugboat failed to present a valid domestic shipping license during the inspection.
In addition, the vessel had not flown a national flag, in violation of the 1952 Merchant Shipping Ordinance.
The tugboat was operated by a captain and three crew members, including two Malaysians and one Indonesian, aged between 20 and 50. They have been detained to assist in the investigation.
The case is being investigated under the 1952 Merchant Shipping Ordinance. If convicted, they may face fines, penalties, or other punishments.
Khairol stated that maritime patrols and enforcement will be intensified to ensure strict compliance with shipping regulations and to safeguard the security and sovereignty of Malaysian waters.
The public is encouraged to contact the Malaysian maritime emergency hotline at 999, the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Center at 085-649111, or the Sarawak Maritime Operations Center at 082-432544 or 082-432016 if they have information on maritime violations or emergencies.
This interception was carried out by the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri Zone, about 2.5 nautical miles north of Kuala Lawas, at around 1:05 pm, as part of the joint patrol Ops Permai 01/19 and Ops Tiris 3.0.
Maritime zone chief Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad stated that preliminary inspection found the tugboat failed to present a valid domestic shipping license during the inspection.
In addition, the vessel had not flown a national flag, in violation of the 1952 Merchant Shipping Ordinance.
The tugboat was operated by a captain and three crew members, including two Malaysians and one Indonesian, aged between 20 and 50. They have been detained to assist in the investigation.
The case is being investigated under the 1952 Merchant Shipping Ordinance. If convicted, they may face fines, penalties, or other punishments.
Khairol stated that maritime patrols and enforcement will be intensified to ensure strict compliance with shipping regulations and to safeguard the security and sovereignty of Malaysian waters.
The public is encouraged to contact the Malaysian maritime emergency hotline at 999, the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Center at 085-649111, or the Sarawak Maritime Operations Center at 082-432544 or 082-432016 if they have information on maritime violations or emergencies.