BINTULU, 12 May – A tugboat pulling a barge loaded with logs was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) this morning at the mouth of Sungai Kemena, Bintulu, for failing to comply with its Domestic Shipping License (DSL) conditions.
The vessel was intercepted approximately one nautical mile northwest of the river’s estuary by MMEA officers from the Bintulu Maritime Zone, who were conducting routine patrols under Operation PERMAI 01/2019 and Op TIRIS 3.0.
According to Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffian Eldine Abdullah, the tugboat, which was sailing from Kudat, Sabah towards Bintulu waters, was found to have provided false or inaccurate details in its shipping license.
“The tugboat was operated by six crew members – including a Myanmar captain, two Malaysians and two Indian nationals – aged between 26 and 64 years old,” said Captain Suffian in an official statement.
Initial investigations revealed that the vessel violated Section 65F (2) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952. If found guilty, the owner or captain may face a fine of RM2,500.
Following the inspection, the tugboat was escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Vessel Detention Centre, where the crew and vessel were handed over to maritime investigation officers for further action.
Captain Suffian urged all maritime operators to strictly follow licensing rules and prioritize safety when navigating Malaysian waters.
“The maritime community must follow the law and report any suspicious activity or maritime emergencies,” he said.
He added that the public can report any emergencies or illegal maritime activity by contacting:
- 999 Emergency Line
- Bintulu Maritime Zone Ops Centre: 086-314 254
- Sarawak State Maritime Centre: 082-432544 (24/7)
