MMEA Detains Vessel Without Equipment Certificate In Tanjung Manis

KUCHING, April 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a Class C fishing vessel and its six Malaysian crew members at 1.26 pm today after they failed to produce a valid equipment certificate.

Tanjung Manis Maritime Zone director Mahkos Juing said the vessel was detained during Ops Permai and Op Tiris 3.0 patrol, about 12.4 nautical miles east of Tanjung Jerijeh.

He said the vessel is suspected of breaching the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for using uncertified communications equipment.

“An equipment certificate is official approval from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, allowing the use of specific radio frequencies. It is regulated, comes with a fee, and is required for legal radio device operation,” he said in a statement today.

Mahkos said the vessel and crew were escorted to the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority Tanjung Manis Jetty and handed over to investigators for further action.

-- BERNAMA