By Aida Aziz
Photo Maritim Perak
IPOH: Three Myanmar fishermen, including the boat captain, were detained along with a local fishing boat (BNT) of the drift gillnet type at a position 4.8 nautical miles southwest of Kuala Gula, Kuala Kurau yesterday.
Director of the Kuala Kurau Maritime Zone, Maritime Commander Mohd Najhan Azman Hamid, said all of them were detained while they were leisurely engaged in fishing activities in the area around 12:40 noon.
He said the involved boat was detained by the Malaysian Maritime patrol boat team while conducting routine patrols in the waters of Kerian and Larut Matang.
“The boat was found engaging in fishing activities and was approached for inspection.
“Upon inspection, it was discovered that the three Myanmar fishermen, including the captain aged 21 to 25, did not possess valid identification documents on the boat.
“Further examination of documents revealed that the boat had a valid license but was not operated by the owner themselves, and there was no permission for the legal use of foreign crew,” he said here today.
Mohd Najhan further added that all the fishermen, the boat, and fishing equipment were detained and taken to the Kuala Kurau Maritime Zone jetty for further action.
“The case is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for residing in Malaysia without valid identification documents and Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for violating the conditions of a valid license.
That is, the boat was not operated by the owner themselves and there was no permission for the legal use of foreign crew by the Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia,” he said.
He further called on all maritime communities to always abide by the established laws for common well-being.
Any complaints, misconduct, or emergency incidents can be reported to the Kuala Kurau Maritime Zone Operations Center at 05-7279919 or MERS 999 for immediate action.
