KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has stopped two fishing boats from illegally entering the country through Kudat waters.
Kudat MMEA director commander maritime Maurice Grenville Abeyeratne said two patrol boats, which were conducting patrols for Operation Tiris, Operation Pluto Timur, and Special Operation Pagar Laut, spotted both vessels yesterday evening.
"Upon inspection, it was found that both fishing boats were carrying 43 people, including women and children, aged between 2 and 55 years old.
"Of this total, 35 are suspected to be Filipinos, while the remaining eight are locals," he said.
The first boat was detained at a location 7.6 nautical miles from Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, while the second boat was detained at a location 6.6 nautical miles from Pulau Kalutan, Balambangan.
Both were suspected to be heading for Kota Kinabalu from Tawi-Tawi Island, the Philippines.
The matter is being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, Immigration Act 1959/63, and Sabah Ports and Docks Enactment 2002.
The public, especially the maritime community in Kudat, is urged to assist the MMEA by reporting any misconduct or criminal activity at sea to its hotline at 088-611858 (Kudat Operations Centre) and the MERS 999 hotline.
