MMEA Detains Tanker Illegally Carrying Diesel Worth Over RM180,000

MELAKA, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a tanker carrying about 50 metric tonnes of diesel, valued at nearly RM180,000, without valid documents in Melaka waters yesterday.

Melaka and Negeri Sembilan MMEA director Maritime Captain Salehuddin Zakaria said the vessel was intercepted at 3.45 pm by an agency patrol boat conducting operations under Op Murni and Op Tiris 3.0, about one nautical mile southwest of Pulau Melaka, here.

“The tanker was found carrying about 50 metric tonnes of fuel, believed to be diesel, without valid documents, and it was operated by five Indonesian crew members, aged between 21 and 62. The skipper also failed to produce a purchase invoice, and did not declare the cargo in the port clearance documents,” he said in a statement today.

He said the vessel had been detained, and the case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961, for possession of controlled goods without a valid permit, and failure to comply with cargo declaration regulations.

He added that the MMEA remains committed to intensifying surveillance in national waters to curb misappropriation and fuel smuggling activities, which could undermine the country’s economy and well-being.

-- BERNAMA