MMEA DETAINS OIL TANKER SUSPECTED OF STORING DIESEL WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION

MELAKA, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The Melaka and Negeri Sembilan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained an oil tanker suspected of storing approximately 50 tonnes of diesel, estimated to be worth nearly RM180,000, without valid documents.

Its director, Maritime Captain Salehuddin Zakaria said the oil tanker was detained while at anchor about 0.5 nautical miles southwest of Kuala Melaka, in the waters of the Strait of Melaka, during Op Murni and Op Tiris 3.0 at 3.30 pm yesterday.

He said five Indonesian crew members, aged 20 to 46, were on board the oil tanker when it was detained.

A MMEA patrol boat detected the tanker and became suspicious of it. When an inspection was carried out, it found the vessel was storing approximately 50 tonnes of liquid suspected to be diesel oil.

On further examination, the ship's crew was unable to produce any purchase invoices or documents confirming ownership of the fuel, Salehuddin said in a statement here today.

He said the vessel was believed to have loaded the diesel in Melaka waters to be taken out without any permission or valid documentation.

Salehuddin said they (crew) were all suspected of committing offences under the Petroleum Act (Safety Measures) 1984 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

Meanwhile, he said the MMEA will continue to enhance monitoring and operations in the country's waters to curb fuel smuggling and misappropriation activities that could affect the country's economy and security.

-- BERNAMA