Pulau pasir hitam: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Malaysia Maritime) has detained three Class B tugboats and nine Myanmar crew members for suspected offences in the waters off Pulau Pasir Hitam. The detention occurred following a targeted operation based on public complaints and intelligence regarding the activities of these vessels.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Kuala Kurau Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Mohd Hairil Othman, stated that the boats were intercepted around 1:00 pm by a patrol team. The inspections revealed that each vessel was manned by three Myanmar nationals who were suspected of lacking valid identification and work permits.

Commander Mohd Hairil Othman explained that the first vessel was suspected of employing foreign nationals without proper authorisation from the Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia, and also of failing to conduct its activities through self-operation. The second vessel was found to have not displayed its boat license, and similarly, was suspected of employing foreign nationals without authorisation and failing to self-operate.

Further investigation of the third boat revealed that its license had expired, and it was also suspected of similar offences concerning foreign employment and self-operation failures. The boats and crew were brought to the Kuala Kurau Maritime Zone Headquarters Jetty for further investigation.

The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for issues related to the crew's documentation and work permits, and under the Fisheries Act 1985 for violations related to the boats and their fishing activities.