Latest news with #Dzulfikhar
Daily Express
10 hours ago
- Daily Express
Six rescued as boat leaks in Lahad Datu waters
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 Text Size: The victims were rescued after their boat leaked off Pulau Timbun Mata. LAHAD DATU: Six individuals including two boys were rescued after the fibre boat they were travelling in leaked off Pulau Timbun Mata, Kunak, here, on Sunday. The victims were rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali said the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Operation Centre received a call from the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Kota Kinabalu at 1.45pm. They were informed that a boat that was scheduled to send the reverse osmosis (RO) water supply to the General Operation Force (GOF) post had leaked after hitting a floating log. 'Upon receiving information, the Banggi 45 boat which was patrolling in the nearby area rushed to the scene and discovered the victims off Pulau Batik waters with the help from a pump boat due to shallow water. 'All the victims were found safe and no injury was reported,' he said, in a statement on Monday. According to Dzulfikhar, three victims, a 37-year-old man, Lajim Paisal and his two sons aged 10 and six were taken to Lahad Datu Fishery jetty. Three other victims were waiting for the company's boat to arrive on the island to repair the fibre boat. All three of them arrived safely on land at 2am on Monday. In the meantime, the MMEA reminds all boat operators to ensure that all crew and passengers wear life jackets while operating a boat. This is not only a standard operating procedure, but also an important step to prevent loss of life in the event of an incident. MMEA also called on the public to convey any information on criminal activities or incidents to MMEA operation centre via Whatsapp at 016-9305727 or 999. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
The Star
25-06-2025
- The Star
Two vessels detained for fishing too close to shore in Sabah waters
Maritime officers detain an anchovy purse seine vessel operating too close to shore in the waters off Tabawan, Kunak. KOTA KINABALU: Two fishing vessels were detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for breaching licence conditions by operating too close to shore in the waters off Tabawan, Kunak. The vessels, using the purse seine method where a large wall of netting surrounds schools of fish, were stopped separately during patrols under Ops Pluto Timur 2/2023 and Ops Tiris 3.0 at about 11.30am, yesterday, some 0.37 nautical miles east of Madai, said Lahad Datu Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali in a statement. Initial inspections on the first vessel found four crew members onboard — two Malaysians aged 31 and 39, and two Filipinos aged 28 and 65 — along with five kilogrammes of anchovy catch. The second vessel was manned by two Malaysians aged 21 and 23, and two Filipinos aged 15 and 22, with a four-kilogramme catch. All eight individuals were found with valid identification documents. Further checks revealed both vessels had operated within 1.5 nautical miles of the nearest shoreline, a direct violation of the Fisheries Act 1985 for failing to comply with their licence conditions. 'Firm action will be taken against any fishing boat operators who disregard licence terms, especially those found fishing in restricted zones,' Dzulfikhar said. The vessels, crew and catch were brought to the Lahad Datu Maritime jetty for further investigation. On June 5, a similar case was reported near Kota Kinabalu when a local fishing vessel was caught operating just one nautical mile off Tanjung Tembungo. That case involved an Indonesian crew and nearly one tonne of fish, also seized for breaching nearshore fishing restrictions. Under the Fisheries Act 1985, purse seine fishing vessels must operate at least 1.5 nautical miles from shore to safeguard marine ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of Malaysia's fishery resources. The MMEA is urging the maritime community to comply with maritime laws and report any suspicious activities via WhatsApp at 016-9305727 or the MERS 999 emergency line.
Daily Express
19-06-2025
- Daily Express
Encroaching mangrove in Lahad Datu: Man held
Published on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 By: Azmie Lim Text Size: The house as well as crops planted by the suspect. LAHAD DATU: A 59-year-old local was detained for allegedly encroaching into a forest reserve here, Tuesday, during an Op Bakar by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Forestry Department. Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar, said they discovered that about five acres have been trespassed and opened illegally. Advertisement Among the activities conducted included cutting down mangrove trees, open burning and planting of oil palm trees, fruits and vegetables. 'A house and a building structure for bird nests were also built in the area without permission. 'The man, suspected of committing an offence under the Forest Enactment 1968, was handed over to the Forestry Department for further investigation,' he said. According to Dzulfikhar, the implementation of integrated operations such as the Op Bakar is an important step in ensuring forest reserves, coastal areas and waters remain protected without any invasion. 'The collaborative approach not only aims at protecting the natural ecosystem but also ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our national waters,' he said. He added that the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone will further strengthen strategic cooperation with other enforcement agencies in efforts to intensify security and enforcement control. He urged the public to channel any information to the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone via Whatsapp at 016-9305727 or 999. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
The Sun
18-06-2025
- The Sun
Man arrested for encroaching Lahad Datu forest reserve
LAHAD DATU: A 59-year-old man was arrested during Op Bakau yesterday for allegedly encroaching into the Lahad Datu Forest Reserve. Lahad Datu Maritime Zone director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali, said the joint operation carried out by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Sabah Forestry Department discovered that 2.02 hectares of land had been encroached upon. 'Checks revealed illegal activities, including mangrove tree logging, open burning, and the planting of oil palm, fruits, and vegetables. A residential house and a swiftlet bird nest structure were also built without permission,' he said in a statement today. The suspect, who is believed to have committed an offence under the Forest Enactment 1968, has been referred to the Lahad Datu Forestry Department for further investigation. Dzulfikhar said the integrated operation is crucial for protecting forest reserves, waterways, and coastal areas while preserving natural ecosystems and ensuring national maritime security. Members of the public with information about criminal activities or emergencies at sea are encouraged to contact the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone via WhatsApp at 016-9305727 or MERS 999.
Barnama
18-06-2025
- Barnama
Man Arrested For Encroaching Lahad Datu Forest Reserve
LAHAD DATU, June 18 (Bernama) -- A 59-year-old man was arrested during Op Bakau yesterday for allegedly encroaching into the Lahad Datu Forest Reserve. Lahad Datu Maritime Zone director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali, said the joint operation carried out by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Sabah Forestry Department discovered that 2.02 hectares of land had been encroached upon. 'Checks revealed illegal activities, including mangrove tree logging, open burning, and the planting of oil palm, fruits, and vegetables. A residential house and a swiftlet bird nest structure were also built without permission,' he said in a statement today. The suspect, who is believed to have committed an offence under the Forest Enactment 1968, has been referred to the Lahad Datu Forestry Department for further investigation. Dzulfikhar said the integrated operation is crucial for protecting forest reserves, waterways, and coastal areas while preserving natural ecosystems and ensuring national maritime security. Members of the public with information about criminal activities or emergencies at sea are encouraged to contact the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone via WhatsApp at 016-9305727 or MERS 999. -- BERNAMA
