TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here has foiled an attempt by nine individuals from Nunukan, Indonesia, to enter Tawau illegally by sea Friday night.
Balung Maritime ship commanding officer Lt Commander Maritime Nik Mohd Izwan Farid Md Daud said the individuals comprising five men and four women aged between 18 and 52 were held while entering the district via an ungazzetted route at 9.40pm.
“Inspections found the skipper and six passengers carried identification documents while two others failed to produce valid documents,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Mohd Izwan said the boat and all the individuals onboard were brought to Tawau MMEA jetty for further investigations under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
He said MMEA was committed to carry out enforcement in Malaysian waters especially in Tawau to ensure social and economic stability among local residents.
He hoped members of the public would cooperate by channelling information to Malaysian Maritime authorities on any marine criminal activities by contacting MERS 999 or Tawau Maritime Operations Centre at 089-752115. — Bernama