Langkawi: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a local fishing boat near Langkawi yesterday morning during a routine patrol west of Tanjung Chinchin for allegedly breaching its operating licence.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kedah/Perlis Maritime director, First Maritime Admiral Romli Mustafa, stated that the vessel was intercepted at around 11.40 am at 9.4 nautical miles west of Tanjung Chinchin. This action was part of a joint sweep under operations Op Aman, Op Tiris 4.0, and Op Khas Tanjung 2.

The vessel was manned by a skipper and three Thai crew members, aged between 32 and 52, and was actively fishing when intercepted. Initial checks indicated that the vessel violated Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985 by fishing less than 15 nautical miles from shore, which directly breached its valid licensing conditions.

The seized vessel, including gear and catch, is valued at an estimated RM320,000. The detained crew and evidence were escorted to the Kedah/Perlis Maritime Headquarters jetty for further investigation.

First Maritime Admiral Romli Mustafa urged members of the public with any information regarding maritime crime or emergencies to contact the 999 hotline or call the Kedah and Perlis Maritime Headquarters Operations Centre at 04-966 2750 for immediate action.