KOTA TINGGI: A Liberia-registered vessel was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for illegal anchoring near Tanjung Kelesa here.

       Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the tanker was apprehended 14 nautical miles (25km) east of Tanjung Kelesa at 1.15pm on Saturday (Feb 26).

       "An inspection of the ship found that there were 17 crew onboard aged between 23 and 66. All of them are from the Philippines and are travelling with valid documents," said Nurul Hizam.

       “However, the ship does not have any valid anchoring permits issued by the Marine Department and has been anchoring there since Feb 23,” he added in a statement here on Sunday (Feb 27).

       He said that the ship’s captain and chief engineer have been detained for further questioning

       The case is being investigated under Section 491B(1) (L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which is punishable with a maximum fine of RM100,000, a jail term of up to two years or both.