TANJUNG MANIS: Failure to produce a port clearance pass resulted in the detention of five crew members and a tugboat pulling a barge loaded with pebbles, about 0.7 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Jerijih on Thursday.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Tanjung Manis Maritime Zone director Commander Mohd Ariz Md Kassim said the arrest took place at 2.10pm during Ops Permai patrol, carried out by a maritime team in Belawai waters.
“The team went to inspect the tugboat and the barge and found five men comprising two locals and three Indian nationals aboard.
“Results of the inspection found the tugboat was travelling from Kuching to Sibu and they failed to produce the port clearance pass document during their voyage.
“All the detainees, aged between 20 and 65, had valid identification documents,” he said.
Ariz added that the men, along with the tugboat and barge, were escorted to the HSL Jetty to be handed over to the Tanjung Manis Maritime Zone investigating officer for further action.
The case will be investigated under the Section 37(1) of Customs Act 1967 for failing to produce port clearance documents during the voyage.
