MIRI: Fifteen Vietnamese fishermen were fined a total of RM3 million by the Sessions Court yesterday (Nov 14) for illegally encroaching into Malaysian waters.
The fishermen, aged between 30 and 66, were found guilty of three charges under the Fisheries Act 1985.
According to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri Zone director Capt Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad, Judge Azreena Aziz sentenced the skipper of the foreign fishing vessel TG93997TS and TG9499TS to a RM1 million fine and eight months’ jail in default.
Ten crew members, including the skipper, were each fined RM250,000, with a default sentence of five months in prison.
For the third charge, involving the vessel TG92023TS, the skipper was fined RM1 million in default of six months’ imprisonment, while four crew members were fined RM250,000 each, with a default sentence of four months in prison.
The court also fined the owners of four local fishing vessels RM2,000 each, and owners of two other local vessels RM1,500 each.
Khairol added that proceeds from the auction of diesel and sea catches seized during the operations were ordered to be forfeited to the Malaysian government.
MMEA deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Azham Marwan prosecuted the case, while the foreign fishermen were represented by their respective counsels.
