Foreigners claim trial to fishing-related charges

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MIRI : A total of 19 foreign fishing crew including a skipper pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here yesterday to a charge of  illegally fishing in Malaysian waters.

Nguyen Duc Van, 44, (skipper); Quynh Van Dao, 30; Nguyen Van Quan, 42; Tran Van Luan, 50; Tran Van Loc, 52; Nguyen Van Quy, 20; Nguyen Van Hoang, 32; Leu Tuan, 22; Danh Quoc Viet, 23; Danh Minh Thang, 25; Le Van Hau, 19; Ly Trong Le, 25; Nguyen Van Phu, 20; Nguyen Tien Thien, 20; Hua Ly Phap, 45; Hoang Thanh Hiep, 39; Hoang Van Linh, 22; Danh Hi Thi, 25, and Phan Van Hui, 31, all from Vietnam were each charged under Section 8(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317), read together with Section 14A and punishable under Section 25 (b) of the same Act.

If convicted, they can be fined not more than RM20,000 or jail up to two years or both.

Based on facts of the case, the fishermen were accused of fishing in Malaysian waters without a licence from the director of Malaysia Fisheries Department, as required under Section 9 of the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317).

They allegedly committed the offence at 3.50pm on Oct 16 on a fishing vessel bearing the registration plate ‘One United 6’ at 56.5 nautical miles from Tanjung Baram here.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Ainy Suhailah from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) applied for a date for the case management as all the accused had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

Judge Steve Ritikos allowed the application and set Jan 15, 2019 for case management and April 22 to 29 next year for the trial.

All the accused were ordered to be further detained under Section 259 of the Criminal Pocedure Code while awaiting the date.

In an unrelated case, 19 Vietnam fishermen and a skipper also pleaded not guilty to the charge of possessing fishing equipment without licence.

Nguyen Van Lau, 49, (skipper); Nguyen Van Thanh, 36; Nguyen Van Quan, 27; Nguyen Van Lap, 49; Nguyen Bao Xuyen, 33; Truong Minh Duong, 31; Ngo Van Nin, 31; Le Van Phuc, 23; Tong Van Ho, 37; Danh Tuong, 36; Le Van Phong, 25; Doan Van Duy, 21; Danh Ra, 28; Danh Ngoc, 25; Danh Dua, 21; Ngo Minh Nhat, 31; Le Van Va, 36; Le Van Hai, 32, and Danh Sung, 57, were charged according to Section 11 (3) (b) of the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) which was read together with Section 14A and punishable under Section 25(b) of the same Act.

They allegedly committed the offence at 2.59pm on Oct16 on a fishing vessel with registration plate ‘One United 19’ located 42.3 nautical miles from Kuala Baram here.

The court then set Jan 15, 2019 for  case management while the trial set from March 18 -22 next year. All the accused were ordered to be further detained under Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code while awaiting the date.

Ainy Suhailah  also prosecuted this case.