Latest news with #OpDamai
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
MMEA detains fishing boat off Tok Bali for licence breach, immigration offences
PASIR PUTEH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kelantan detained a local fishing vessel with four crew members on Saturday for breaching the conditions of its licence. State MMEA director Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said the vessel was detained about 37 nautical miles off the Tok Bali estuary. He said the MMEA patrol boat was conducting operations under Op Naga Barat, Op Damai, and Op Tiris when it spotted the vessel at about 2pm. "Upon inspection, MMEA officers found four peopel onboard the vessel, including the skipper. "All of them are believed to be Myanmar nationals, aged between 19 and 52. "Preliminary investigations revealed that none of the crew members could produce valid identification documents. "We also suspect that they do not possess passports or valid work permits recognised by the Malaysian government," Erwan said. He said the offence was a violation of the vessel's licence conditions under the Fisheries Act 1985. They were also believed to have committed immigration offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to present valid temporary employment visit passes (PLKS). "The identification documents provided were also found to be questionable in terms of authenticity. "We will conduct a thorough investigation into the vessel's ownership and the handling of foreign crew recruitment," he said. During the operation, the agency also seized about 600kg of marine catch along with fishing equipment, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM800,000. He said the vessel, along with its skipper and crew, was escorted to the Kelantan Maritime jetty before being handed over to the Maritime investigating officer.
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- New Straits Times
MMEA detains Thai tanker off Kelantan coast
KOTA BHARU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kelantan detained a suspicious tanker believed to be owned by a Thailand citizen some 100 nautical miles from the Tok Bali estuary on Tuesday. Kelantan MMEA director, Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi, said an agency enforcement asset had detained the vessel while patrolling the Malaysia-Vietnam maritime border under Op Damai, Op Naga Barat, and Op Tiris. He said the vessel was detected around 1 pm and intercepted some 20 minutes later. "Initial checks revealed that the vessel was operated by six crew members, including a captain, all believed to be Thai nationals aged between 38 and 70," he said in a statement today. He said the vessel's insurance and related documents appeared suspicious, and all crew members could not provide valid identification during the check. The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. "Authorities take any breach of maritime laws seriously, especially those that compromise the safety and sovereignty of national waters. "Enforcement efforts will continue to be strengthened to ensure that all parties operating in our waters comply with the law," he said. Erwan Shah urged the public to report information about criminal activities or incidents at sea via the emergency hotline 999 or by contacting the Kelantan Maritime Operations Centre at 09-778 0070.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
MMEA detains Thai tanker off Kelantan coast
KOTA BHARU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kelantan detained a suspicious tanker believed to be owned by a Thailand citizen some 100 nautical miles from the Tok Bali estuary on Tuesday. Kelantan MMEA director, Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi, said an agency enforcement asset had detained the vessel while patrolling the Malaysia-Vietnam maritime border under Op Damai, Op Naga Barat, and Op Tiris. He said the vessel was detected around 1 pm and intercepted some 20 minutes later. 'Initial checks revealed that the vessel was operated by six crew members, including a captain, all believed to be Thai nationals aged between 38 and 70,' he said in a statement today. He said the vessel's insurance and related documents appeared suspicious, and all crew members could not provide valid identification during the check. The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. 'Authorities take any breach of maritime laws seriously, especially those that compromise the safety and sovereignty of national waters. 'Enforcement efforts will continue to be strengthened to ensure that all parties operating in our waters comply with the law,' he said. Erwan Shah urged the public to report information about criminal activities or incidents at sea via the emergency hotline 999 or by contacting the Kelantan Maritime Operations Centre at 09-778 0070.
Barnama
22-05-2025
- Barnama
MMEA Detains Thai Tanker Off Kelantan Coast
KOTA BHARU, May 22 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kelantan detained a suspicious tanker believed to be owned by a Thailand citizen some 100 nautical miles from the Tok Bali estuary on Tuesday. Kelantan MMEA director, Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi, said an agency enforcement asset had detained the vessel while patrolling the Malaysia-Vietnam maritime border under Op Damai, Op Naga Barat, and Op Tiris. He said the vessel was detected around 1 pm and intercepted some 20 minutes later. "Initial checks revealed that the vessel was operated by six crew members, including a captain, all believed to be Thai nationals aged between 38 and 70," he said in a statement today. He said the vessel's insurance and related documents appeared suspicious, and all crew members could not provide valid identification during the check. The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. "Authorities take any breach of maritime laws seriously, especially those that compromise the safety and sovereignty of national waters. "Enforcement efforts will continue to be strengthened to ensure that all parties operating in our waters comply with the law," he said. Erwan Shah urged the public to report information about criminal activities or incidents at sea via the emergency hotline 999 or by contacting the Kelantan Maritime Operations Centre at 09-778 0070.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Thai tanker detained by MMEA off Kelantan coast
KOTA BHARU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kelantan detained a suspicious tanker believed to be owned by a Thailand citizen some 100 nautical miles from the Tok Bali estuary on Tuesday. Kelantan MMEA director, Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi, said an agency enforcement asset had detained the vessel while patrolling the Malaysia-Vietnam maritime border under Op Damai, Op Naga Barat, and Op Tiris. He said the vessel was detected around 1 pm and intercepted some 20 minutes later. 'Initial checks revealed that the vessel was operated by six crew members, including a captain, all believed to be Thai nationals aged between 38 and 70,' he said in a statement today. He said the vessel's insurance and related documents appeared suspicious, and all crew members could not provide valid identification during the check. The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. 'Authorities take any breach of maritime laws seriously, especially those that compromise the safety and sovereignty of national waters. 'Enforcement efforts will continue to be strengthened to ensure that all parties operating in our waters comply with the law,' he said. Erwan Shah urged the public to report information about criminal activities or incidents at sea via the emergency hotline 999 or by contacting the Kelantan Maritime Operations Centre at 09-778 0070.
