SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a boat carrying seven tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) that did not have a valid ownership document and transport licence from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) in the waters off here, on Tuesday.
Sandakan Maritime Zone Director Capt Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said two men - one aged 39 and a foreigner aged 42 - were also arrested at 0.8 nautical miles southeast of Kampung Gas.
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He said both individuals failed to produce any documents related to the ownership of and transportation of the crude palm oil.
“The seized boat and palm oil, valued at an estimated RM75,000, were taken to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty,” he said.
He added that the case is being investigated under the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Act 1998 (Act 582), Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 and the Ports and Harbours (Sabah Licensed Small Ships) Regulations 2008.
Muhamad Suhairy said the MMEA will continue to intensify patrols and enforcement to curb illegal activities in the country’s waters.
He urged the public to channel any information to the Sandakan Maritime Operations Centre at 089-229504 or contact the emergency hotline 999.
