Illustrative photo (Photo: news.xinhuanet.com)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Foreign ships illegally fishing in Malaysia’s waters could be sunk and turned into artificial reefs, or auctioned off along with their catch, if convicted under Malaysian law.
The statement was made by Maritime Admiral Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, Director General of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), reported The Star newspaper on March 31.
Speaking to reporters at the MMEA headquarters in the Malaysian administrative capital of Putrajaya, on March 29, Ahmad Puzi said that a group of up to 100 foreign boats that encroached into Malaysian waters last week, have been confirmed to have conducted fishing activities off Sarawak.
He said the illegal fishing boats, which the Malaysian forces detected near Luconia reef, were escorted by two coastguard ships.
Local and foreign media reported that the ships were from China.
Ahmad Puzi added that the MMEA in collaboration with the Royal Navy of Malaysia has sent ships and aircraft to track the movement of the foreign boats.-VNA
