MMEA nabs 25 Vietnamese fishermen over trespass, attempted bribery

KUALA TERENGGANU: Twenty-five Vietnamese fishermen were hit with a double jeopardy yesterday, in the high seas off the coast of Kuala Terengganu.

Not only were they detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for fishing in Malaysian waters, the foreigners will also be hauled in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The MACC action follows the alleged offer of a RM3,000 bribe to MMEA officers as inducement to set them free.

During the MMEA's 'Ganding Timur 01/2016' special operation which was mounted yesterday, its officers seized the fishermen's three vessels worth RM3 million to facilitate investigations

MMEA (Eastern Peninsular Region) director, First Admiral Datuk Mamu Said Alee said today, the fishermen were nabbed for trespassing into Malaysian waters and offering a RM3,000 bribe to secure their release from custody.
He said the case was referred to the MACC for further action, adding the four-day special operation beginning Monday, was held about 101 to 103 nautical miles from the Kuala Terengganu coast.

"Between 12.30pm and 6pm, two foreign fishing boats believed to be from Vietnam and a local boat were stopped.

"The Vietnamese boats did not have authorisation to conduct fishing activities in Malaysian waters and their crew members did not have valid identification document," Mamu Said told a press conference.

He said a total of 150 officers and personnel were involved in the operation involving three MMEA vessels from Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, among others.

He said the local boat was seized for illegal modification of its diesel fuel tank.

"The modified fuel tank may have been for the purpose of selling diesel oil to foreign vessels or local boats at sea," he added.

"A total of 25 foreign crew members aged 16 to 56, on board all three boats were detained for further action," added Mamu Said. — Bernama