KOTA KINABALU: The marine police have intercepted two boats which encroached into Sabah's waters in the east coast Tawau district.

       Five Indonesian men aged between 31 and 55 were arrested on suspicion of fishing illegally off Pulau Sebatik, which shares a border with Indonesia.

       Tawau Marine Operations Base commanding officer Deputy Supt Ridzauddin Selamat said his men spotted the boats while patrolling the area.

       "After a check, we found that they were all Indonesian citizens," he said in a statement on Saturday (June 11).

       The patrol team also told the men that they had breached Covid-19 standard operating procedures before escorting them to the border.

       He urged coastal residents to contact authorities should they have any information on maritime violations or potential crimes being committed.

       He said the public can reach the Region 4 Marine Police through WhatsApp at 013-939 1197 or they can contact the Tawau marine police operations room directly at 089-983 628.