GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a cargo ship 0.7 nautical miles west of Bagan Ajam around 1.30pm, yesterday.
The state agency’s director Abd Razak Mohamed said the 59.97m long cargo ship, MV KONG, registered in Sierra Leone, is believed to have anchored without permission.
He said the ship was manned by nine crew members, including the captain with the rest of the crew comprising three Indonesians aged between 41 to 47 and six Iranians aged between 34 to 47.
“Further inspection found that they were suspected of committing an offence under Section 491B (1) (l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, namely anchoring without the permission from the Malaysian Marine Department director-general.
“The ship and crew were taken to Batu Uban Jetty to be handed over to the Penang Maritime investigating officer,” he said in a statement today.
Razak said if found guilty they could be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed not more than two years or both.
In this regard, he said, Penang MMEA will continue to enhance monitoring and patrols around Penang waters and will not compromise with any party that violates the country’s maritime laws.
“The public should cooperate with the authorities by reporting any illegal incidents, emergencies or accidents at sea through the 24-hour emergency line, MERS 999 or the Penang State Maritime Operations Centre at 04-262-6146 / 04-264-3650.” – The Vibes, December 25, 2021
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