KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained two tankers for illegal anchoring off east Johor.

       Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said both ships, one registered in Mongolia and the other in Equatorial Guinea, were found anchored about 17 nautical miles (31.4km) north-east of Tanjung Siang at around 5pm on Tuesday (Aug 31).

       “The Mongolian-registered vessel was operated by a crew of seven from Indonesia and Singapore, while the other ship had nine Indonesian crewmen on board.

       “All of them had valid identification documents.

       “However, the captains of both vessels failed to produce any permit for anchoring in Malaysian waters, committing an offence under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952,” he said on Wednesday (Sept 1).

       The offence is punishable with a fine of not more than RM100,000 or imprisonment of not more than two years, or both, upon conviction.

       He said the seizures were part of MMEA’s Jangkar Haram operation which kicked off in March to tackle illegal anchoring, which has seen a decline especially in the Tompok Utara area.

       He hoped that shipping companies as well as ship operators, agents and captains could continue adhering to the law and regulations before conducting any activities in Malaysian waters.