MMEA detains two cargo vessels, tugboat off Kuala Lawas for invalid papers

MIRI (July 30): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained two cargo vessels and a tugboat approximately 1.8 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Lawas yesterday (July 29) for various offences.

MMEA Miri director Capt Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said that the vessels and tugboat were detained during a routine patrol operation in the area.

“Following inspections, it was found that there were 19 crewmembers altogether on board all the boats.

“Five of them are local, six from Myanmar, four from India and the remaining four are Indonesians, all aged between 19 and 65,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Khairol said that all crewmembers and their boats were escorted to Lawas jetty for further investigation under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 for failure to show valid documents when checked by the operation team.

He added that the MMEA will not compromise with any party found to be violating maritime law and that stern actions will be taken against them.

Those with information, complaints, or having emergency incidents at sea can contact the Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999, Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre on 085-418204, or Sarawak State Maritime Operations Centre on 082-432544 or 082-432016.