Maritime Agency Detains Two Vietnamese Fishing Boats for Violating Licensing Terms

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah), Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two Vietnamese fishing boats for violating the licensing terms about eight nautical miles north west off Mengalum Island, near here Wednesday. MMEA Kota Kinabalu director First Admiral (Maritime) Adam Aziz said during the ‘Ops Sejahtera’, MMEA vessel KM Banggi detected two Vietnamese fishing boats at the location at around 8.40am. “Upon checking the two fishing boats, 1,800 kilogrammes of various types of fish and 305.5 kilogrammes of protected ‘cengkerang kima’ (clam shells) were found. “During the inspection, the crew also attempted to offer a bribe of RM3,400 to maritime officers to let off their boats,” he said in a statement here Thursday. Adam said the two fishing boats, together with 38 crew, aged between 18 and 46, were then taken to the MMEA Sepanggar jetty for further action. -- BERNAMA