MMEA continues to act on vessels anchored illegally in Johor waters

KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will continue to act on foreign merchant ships that are anchored illegally in Johor waters because migrant smuggling syndicates have been detected to use the presence of these ships to elude the authorities.

MMEA deputy director-general (Operations) Maritime Admiral Kamaruszaman Abu Hassan said this had also been the modus operandi of similar syndicates operating in Selangor and West Johor waters, as this would allow them to enter the country without being detected by the authorities' radar.

As such, he said, it was important for the agency to continue the 'Jangkar Hitam' special operation which had been conducted off Johor for the past eight days as this is a busy exit and entry route.

"They (the syndicate) use these merchant vessels as cover to get into the mainland undetected.

"This had been their tactic because the vessels are usually anchored close to the shore at between two to six nautical miles (four to 12 kilometres)," he told a press conference at the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone Office, here, today.

He said the syndicates' target locations to land were the Tanjung Penyusup and Teluk Ramunia beaches in Pengerang.

"Usually before entering, they will recce the surrounding area to identify the fastest route that can take them to the mainland from where the ships have docked.

"We believe that with less ships anchored illegally in the area (near the mainland) it will easier to detect the suspicious activities of bringing in migrants into the country," he said

Meanwhile Kamaruszaman said through the special operation MMEA had detained 18 vessels and the cases are being investigated before they are brought to court.

"In addition, during the large-scale operation, 71 ships were chased away while nine others were given permission to anchor.

"We are also waiting for confirmation from the Marine Department on the status of seven other ships that have remained docked at the location," he said.

-- BERNAMA