26-8-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Two Thai men were apprehended by the Port Klang Maritime Enforcement Agency after illegally entering Malaysian waters. The authorities discovered their small fishing boat carrying 90 sets of “centipede” traps.
Commander Zubil, the head of the Port Klang Maritime Enforcement Agency, stated that the enforcement team conducted a “Safety Operation/Filling the Gap Operation” (Op Aman/Op Tiris) in the waters off Port Klang at around 7:50 am yesterday. They encountered the unregistered fishing vessel approximately 5.4 nautical miles west of Port Klang.
He explained that the fishing boat, lacking a registration number, appeared to be of foreign origin. The two Thai men, aged 19 and 21, aboard the vessel were believed to have illegally entered Malaysian waters for fishing purposes.
“We have confiscated their 90 sets of ‘centipede’ traps, valued at around RM20,000,” Commander Zubil stated.
The agency is investigating the case under Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985, which prohibits fishing without the permission of the Director-General of Fisheries, as well as under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for illegal entry.
