‘Most offences in waters off Bintulu, Miri’

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BREAKING FAST ON DECK: MMEA officers breaking fast on a Sarawak-based MMEA ship named ‘Bijak’ yesterday.

KUCHING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak Region revealed that maritime areas off Beting Patinggi Ali and Beting Raja Jarum have the most number of offences recorded this year involving the Fisheries Act 1985.

Both areas are located in the waters off Bintulu and Miri divisions.

According to Sarawak Region Maritime enforcement chief First Admiral Ismaili Bujang Pit, MMEA has conducted a total of 1,971 inspections at sea and impounded 33 boats and ships in various cases so far in July.

Arrests were made in the three maritime districts (DM) of Kuching (DM11), Bintulu (DM12) and Miri (DM13), which involves 239.605 square km of waters.

“During inspections, we managed to identify new areas that often incur aggression and criminal activity,” he said.

He was speaking after a breaking fast program and prayers on an MMEA ship named ‘Bijak’ here yesterday.

Among other things, he also revealed that MMEA has identified the state waters off Tanjung Datu and Tanjung Sirik as focal points of intrusions. In another development, Ismaili Bujang told, the government will be intensifying efforts to monitor smuggling activities in the waters off the state during the coming Hari Raya celebration.

“A total of four ships, including two speed boats, will be used to address activities that violate the law,” he said.

He too mentioned a total of 150 officers and MMEA enforcement personnel will be assigned throughout the festive season in implementing the responsibility to protect the security and maritime security of the state.