KUCHING, Dec 13: A tugboat and a barge laden with 3,500 metric tonnes of gravel were detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Belawai waters, for sailing without port clearance.
Tanjung Manis maritime zone director Mohd Ariz Md Kassim in a statement today, revealed the boat was stopped during a routine “Op Permai” patrol, about 0.9 nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Jerijih, at 4.30pm, yesterday.
“As the result of the inspection, it was found that the boat was sailing without port clearance documentation.
“A total of six boat crew members, aged between 20 to 65-years-old, consisting of two local men and four India nationals, who were with valid identification, were also detained during the operation.”
Mohd Ariz added, the tugboat, barge and the crew members were escorted to the Tanjung Manis HSL jetty for further investigation.
“The case is being investigated under Section 37(1) of the Customs Act 1967, for failing to produce port clearance documentation during their voyage,” he added. — DayakDaily
