KOTA TINGGI: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a tanker ship ferrying oil waste illegally in an operation near Tanjung Lompat Desaru on Sunday afternoon.
Tanjung Sedili maritime zone director Maritime Captain Mohd Zulfadli Nayan said the patrolling team spotted the vessel moving suspiciously at 2pm during the joint operation with the Department of Environment (DOE) at eastern Johor waters.
“Checks revealed that the ship was transporting the scheduled waste without prior approval of DOE’s director-general.
“The ship, which was registered in Belize, Central America, along with its four Indonesian crew were detained at 12 nautical miles off east Tanjung Lompat Desaru,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Mohd Zulfadli said the case was referred to DOE for further investigation under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 for prohibition against placing, deposit, of scheduled wastes.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM500,000 and five years’ jail term.
“MMEA will continue to carry out joint operations such as this with various agencies to curb illegal activities in our waters,” he said.