Sungai Besar:The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Selangor has detained nine foreign nationals along with two local Class C fishing vessels. These detentions occurred during separate operations after suspicions arose that they violated license conditions in the waters around Tanjung Sauh, Sungai Besar, on October 10 and the following day.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Selangor MMEA Director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh stated that the first arrest took place during a routine patrol at 500 pm last Saturday. The vessel was located 12.3 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Sauh, Sungai Besar. It was found to be operated by a skipper and four crew members, all Myanmar nationals aged between 44 and 56.

The second arrest happened at 515 pm the next day, at a position 26.2 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Sauh, Sungai Besar. An initial inspection revealed that the vessel was operated by a skipper with three Indonesian crew members aged between 33 and 48.

Further checks showed that the foreign crew members on both vessels lacked valid identification documents, including work permits or permission letters from the Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia. As part of the enforcement operation, approximately 1.45 metric tonnes of mixed fish were seized. The vessels were then escorted to the Pulau Indah Marine Police Force Jetty for further action.

Both cases are currently under investigation under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1959/63 for the violation of license conditions and the failure to present valid identification documents.