Lumut: The Perak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two vessels and eight crew members, including five Myanmar nationals, in two separate operations around Pulau Pangkor waters, near Lumut, yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MMEA's director, Maritime Captain Mohamad Shukri Khotob, reported that the first arrest involved a Class C trawler vessel detained at approximately 7.34 am, located 1.9 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Buloh. The vessel was operated by five crew members from Myanmar, including the skipper who held a card from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The vessel was suspected of trespassing into a restricted zone, less than 12 nautical miles from the shore, and conducting fishing activities in an unauthorised area. The marine catch seized was estimated to weigh 400 kilogrammes of mixed fish, with a total value exceeding RM3 million.

Meanwhile, another operation led to the detention of a Class B trawler vessel around 12.40 pm, positioned 5.7 nautical miles west of Pulau Pangkor. The inspection revealed that the vessel violated licence conditions under the Fisheries Act 1985. Operated by three local crew members, including the skipper, the vessel was found with a mixed catch of fish weighing approximately 100 kilogrammes, with an estimated value of over RM1.5 million.

All crew members, vessels, fishing equipment, and marine catch from both cases have been taken to the Marine Police Force (PPM) jetty in Kampung Acheh and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) jetty in Kampung Acheh for further action.