KOTA KINABALU: A passenger boat and its crew were detained off Kota Kinabalu waters after failing to produce valid travel documents during a routine maritime patrol on Saturday.
The Sabah and Labuan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the vessel was operated by a skipper and two crew members, believed to be Filipino nationals aged between 14 and 39.
Advertisement
Its director, First Admiral (Maritime) Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid @ Razali, said checks found that none of the individuals could produce passports, travel documents or valid permits when questioned.
He said the boat, skipper and crew were detained for further investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to carry valid identification documents.
The total value of the seized assets was estimated at RM30,000, with MMEA reaffirming it would continue stepped-up patrols to safeguard the security and sovereignty of national waters.
