Five Indonesians held over scrap metal theft

Source: The Star

KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained five Indonesian crew members of a wooden boat for suspected involvement in scrap metal theft in the waters off eastern Johor.

Johor MMEA Tanjung Sedili acting director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said that the agency received a report from the Johor Port Authority (LPJ) about a tug boat ferrying scrap metal being boarded by several suspects at 3.8 nautical miles south of Tanjung Penyusop here at 10.45am on Sunday.

He said the suspects were believed to be trying to steal the scrap metal from the tug boat that was on its way from Labuan to Port Klang, Bernama reported.

"A patrol boat was deployed to the scene of the incident.

"Aware of the presence of MMEA personnel, the suspects attempted to flee but were detained at 11.50am," he said at a press conference at the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone here yesterday.

"All the male crew members, aged 31 to 53, were detained and taken to the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone for further action.

"However, the suspects' wooden boat full of stolen goods obtained from the tug boat, while being escorted to the Pengerang Maritime Post, suffered a leak and capsized two nautical miles from Tanjung Bulat."

He added that the case was being investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and all five crew members were remanded for 14 days, starting yesterday.