JOHOR BARU: An Indonesian-registered tanker suspected of illegal anchoring has been seized by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here.

       Johor MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said that the Batam, Indonesian, registered ship was seized at about 8.50am on Friday (Aug 27), some 11 nautical miles east of Tanjung Penawar, Kota Tinggi.

       "There are 18 Indonesian crewmen on board who are between the ages of 19 and 56. They were able to show valid identification documents when checked.

       "According to the captain, the ship was sailing from Kalimantan, Indonesia on Aug 19 and was on its way to Singapore.

       "They anchored at the Johor waters on Thursday (Aug 26) without permission from the Malaysia maritime director," he said in a statement here on Saturday (Aug 28).

       He said the captain and chief engineer of the ship have been brought to the Tanjung Sedili Zone Maritime office for further investigations under Section 491B(1)(l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for illegal anchoring.

       If convicted, a maximum fine of RM100,000 could be imposed or a maximum of two years’ jail or both.

       Nurul Hizam said that MMEA views any attempts to anchor illegally in Johor waters seriously.

       "We urge all ship captains to inform the authorities of their arrival and to get permission to carry out any activities in the Malaysian waters," he said.