BATU PAHAT: A cargo ship ‘Malaysia Star’ caught fire about 9.1 nautical miles off Tanjung Laboh here yesterday, while its 19 crew members were rescued.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Batu Pahat zone Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Commander Mohammad Zaini Zainal stated that his team received a distress call regarding the incident from the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) at about 8.40 am. Following the call, two MMEA patrol boats and a Maritime Police Force boat were deployed to the location for rescue operations and security control.

The ship was reported to have been en route to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah with a crew of 19, consisting of one local and 18 Filipinos. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued without injuries and were transferred to the MMEA patrol boats before being taken to the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone Jetty for further action.

Mohammad Zaini mentioned that fire extinguishing efforts are ongoing, as the blaze erupted near the vessel’s fuel tank. He assured th
at no oil spills have been reported and that the situation is being closely monitored.

He also advised the maritime community to remain vigilant regarding safety and to be prepared for potential incidents at sea to prevent loss of life and property. Information related to crime and emergencies at sea can be reported through the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 07-4349343 and the 24-hour emergency line 999.