Perak MMEA seizes vessel, probes unauthorised anchoring and reporting lapses

Maritime Captain Zainudin Mohd Zuki, said the Lumut Maritime Surveillance System radar detected the Gambian-registered vessel, prompting the Perak Maritime Headquarters Operations Centre to alert enforcement teams for inspection. — Picture via Facebook/MMEA

First Published: Sunday, 08 Nov 2026 5:04 PM MYT

IPOH, Nov 8 —The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Perak detained a cargo vessel suspected of violating the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, about 4.3 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Jarak, near Lumut, yesterday.

Its director, Maritime Captain Zainudin Mohd Zuki, said the Lumut Maritime Surveillance System radar detected the Gambian-registered vessel, prompting the Perak Maritime Headquarters Operations Centre to alert enforcement teams for inspection.

He said the vessel had 21 crew members, including 11 Pakistanis, eight Iranians and two Indonesians.

“The vessel was suspected of two offences under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952: anchoring without authorisation from the Director of Marine Malaysia and failing to report its arrival in Malaysian waters,” he said in a statement today.

Zainudin said the crew and chief engineer were taken to the Perak Maritime Headquarters to assist in the investigation, while the vessel’s documents were seized for further action. — Bernama