KOTA TINGGI: A Zanzibar-registered tanker has been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for anchoring in Johor waters without a permit.

       Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the ship anchored at 15.2 nautical miles (28.1km) from Tanjung Sedili Kecil here at around 1.45pm on Thursday (April 21).

       “On board the 64m vessel was an all-male crew of eight Indonesians aged 25 to 59 with proper documents.

       “The ship’s captain, however, failed to produce a valid permit for anchoring here, so we detained the vessel for investigation under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1962,” he said on Friday (April 22).

       If convicted, the vessel operator could face a fine of up to RM100,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both.

       First Adm Nurul Hizam urged those with information about suspicious activities at sea to channel information to the Johor Maritime Operations Centre at 07-219 9401 or the Malaysian Emergency Response Services hotline at 999.