Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Penang detained two dredgers carrying sand loads exceeding the permitted limit off Pulau Rimau yesterday, with the seized vessels and their cargo estimated to be worth RM400 million. Penang Maritime director Capt (Maritime) Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli stated that the vessels were intercepted about 2.7 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Rimau during a routine patrol.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, inspections revealed that each vessel was operated by 14 foreign crew members, comprising five Indonesians and nine Chinese nationals, with both vessels captained by Indonesian nationals aged 28 and 31. Further checks indicated that the vessels were suspected of committing offences under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 for carrying sand loads exceeding the prescribed limit.

Muhammad Suffi reported that three crew members from each vessel were detained and taken to the Penang Maritime Headquarters for further investigation. He emphasized that the agency would not compromise with any party found violating the law and would continue to intensify enforcement efforts to ensure navigational safety and the security of the nation's waters.