Kuala Lumpur: A cargo ship and a fishing boat have been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on suspicion of involvement in the illegal sale and transfer of subsidised diesel.
The vessels were apprehended last weekend by MMEA, which caught the two vessels together out on the water close to midnight, according to local reports.
Bunker fuel subsidies are granted to fishing vessels in Malaysia, but not to cargo ships. The fishing boat is suspected of misusing its diesel subsidy licence while the cargo ship is alleged to have been buying without a permit.
The suspects are now being investigated under Malaysia’s Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952/60 and the Fishery Act 1985.
MMEA told local press it would step up operations and patrols to curb illegal activities. [02/10/14]
RELATED STORY:
MPA cancels bunker liences of Northwest Resources
