Kuala lumpur: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found violations involving breaches of policy and procedure in the application and approval process for base transfer, engine modification and replacement, and licence transfer of a Zone B vessel at the Pontian District Fisheries Department (DOF) in Johor.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the EAIC stated that during its investigation, false documents were submitted by parties involved in the application. Furthermore, the base transfer, modification, and ownership transfer of the Zone B vessel did not comply with the policies and circulars set by the DOF. It was noted that the approval given involved an officer from the DOF Klang office, which was the vessel’s original base.

As a result, the EAIC has decided to refer its investigation findings to the DOF Disciplinary Authority with a recommendation for disciplinary action against the officers involved under Regulation 38 of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 [P.U.(A) 395/1993]. The recommendation is based on identified offences such as incompetence, dishonesty, irresponsibility, and negligence in performing their duties, as outlined under Regulation 4(2) of the same regulations.

The EAIC also advised the DOF to lodge a police report following the detection of criminal elements, specifically the falsification of information in the application for base transfer, vessel modification, engine replacement, and licence transfer involving the Zone B vessel. The falsification involved several DOF officers suspected of colluding in supporting the application despite being aware of the false information submitted.

In another complaint involving the Tanjung Sedili District DOF in Johor, the EAIC found that a DOF officer had instructed the reinstallation of a tin-plate on a Zone C fishing vessel. This tin-plate had been removed without the department’s permission by the vessel owner after repairs. The action contravened Licensing Circular No. 10 of 2018 (Tin-Plate Replacement Circular), as the officer was unaware of the circular outlining the application and replacement procedures for tin-plates.

However, the EAIC’s investigation concluded that the DOF officer’s actions in Tanjung Sedili were not carried out in bad faith (mala fide), and the DOF Headquarters Engineering Division confirmed that the Zone C vessel involved was indeed the original vessel.