Miri: A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) patrol faced tense moments when they subdued an aggressive attempt by a Vietnamese fishing boat to trespass into Malaysian waters, near Miri, in northern Sarawak yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the standoff occurred when the crew of a vessel from Vietnam, one of the foreign national vessels (VNA) involved, refused to cooperate when they were confronted at around 31 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Niah, Miri. Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad, Miri Zone director, stated that the crew carried out dangerous manoeuvres, throwing hard and sharp objects at the MMEA enforcement personnel in rough seas, which posed a threat to the safety and lives of the security forces.

The situation was successfully controlled, and the foreign vessel, with three Vietnamese on board, was detained without any injuries to maritime personnel on duty. Earlier, the MMEA had detained another foreign vessel and five Indonesians on board at a position 38 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Suai, Miri.

Khairol mentioned that the two vessels and crew, aged between 25 and 53, were taken to the Miri Maritime Zone Complex in a journey that took nearly 18 hours due to rough weather over the long distance. The two boats, equipped with fishing and navigation equipment worth a total of about RM3.3 million, were seized. The crew members are currently under investigation under the Fisheries Act 1985.