Kemaman: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a tanker for anchoring without permission during Ops Khas Pagar Laut and Ops Tiris 3.0 patrols in Kemaman waters near here yesterday. Kemaman Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Abdul Halim Hamzah said the vessel was detained after it was spotted 4.46 nautical miles east of Teluk Penunjok near here at 1.35 pm.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the inspection found that the vessel was operated by five crew members, aged between 26 and 52, including an Indonesian skipper. Further checks showed that the tanker was suspected of committing an offence under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission from the Marine Department director-general.

Abdul Halim said two crew members were taken to the Kemaman Maritime Zone jetty for further investigation, while the remaining three stayed on board and were escorted to a safe location by MMEA assets. According to him, patrols and monitoring would continue to be intensified to ensure the country's waters remain safe.