PORT CLEARANCE
TANJUNG MANIS: Failing to produce a Port Clearance Pass resulted in an arrest of six men and a tugboat pulling a barge loaded with gravel, about 3.1 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Jerijih on Monday (Aug 17).
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Tanjung Manis Maritime Zone director Commander Mohd Ariz Md Kassim said the arrest took place around 2.30pm when the Maritime Guard Boat 22 was carrying out ‘Ops Permai’ patrols in Belawai waters.
“The team inspected the tugboat and the barge and found six men (two locals and four Indian nationals) on board. They failed to produce a Port Clearance Pass document. All the detainees aged 20 to 65, had valid identification documents,” he said in a statement.
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 actions.
The case will be investigated under the Customs Act 1967 for failing to produce Port Clearance Pass document during the voyage.
He stated that MMEA will continue to intensify monitoring and patrol efforts to ensure that activities that are unlawful at sea can be curbed and eradicated accordingly.
MMEA needs the cooperation of the community, especially in providing useful information in combating maritime crime.
