MMEA unaware of foreign vessel
Published on: Sunday, February 12, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) was not made aware of the foreign vessel hired to carry out salvage works on World War 2 Japanese shipwrecks in Usukan waters. Sabah and Labuan MMEA Regional Director First Admiral Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the agency noticed the movement of a foreign vessel in waters off here. "We took the initiative to inspect the ship because we noticed it had been moving around. We wondered what it was doing because it did not enter the port.
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"All non-Malaysian flag ships must have a domestic shipping licence (DSL) to conduct activities in Malaysian waters. "It is not a Malaysian or registered vessel, so we inspected it." During the inspection, Zubil said the crew on board could not present any official letter to officials, but they were told that the State Marine Department and other (agencies) had given their consent. "We then asked for confirmation and approval documents from departments related to the (vessel) activities."
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He said MMEA inspected the vessel no less than a month ago. A snapshot of a letter from the the State Marine Department, addressed to Zubil, was forwarded to the New Straits Times on Thursday.
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The Jan 13-dated letter was to inform the agency that approval had been granted to a China-registered vessel — Chuan Hong 68 — to operate in Sabah waters. It was signed by State Marine Department's Kota Kinabalu Port officer Lim Fung Vui, on behalf of the director. A handwritten note on the letter stated that the vessel had a DSL, which was valid from Jan 9 to April 8. Zubil confirmed receiving the letter, but stressed it was only given when the agency requested for it. "I only received the letter of withdrawal from the marine and museum departments on Feb 6. For now, we are still monitoring the vessel." On the letter, State Marine Department Director Abdul Nasar Abdul Hadi said at an operational level, a port officer could issue a letter on his behalf. He reiterated that the department had withdrawn its permission to carry out activities in Usukan waters on Jan 26, but did not respond whether the department was investigating the missing shipwrecks. He said the department had instructed the vessel to anchor in Kota Kinabalu waters after it experienced engine problem. On Jan 11, a group of fishermen was asked to leave their fishing ground near the sunken wartime wrecks in Usukan waters by crew members of a salvage vessel hired to salvage materials for Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) research. On Jan 25, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun ordered UMS to stop its research operation following concerns raised by fishermen and diving communities.The research was funded by Ugeens Berjaya Enterprise which hired a China-registered vessel to conduct salvaging works. Until today, UMS has remained tight lipped about its research. On Feb 4, a report was lodged at Kota Belud police headquarters, urging the police to conduct investigations. Masidi said the ministry had summoned the varsity's research team leader to provide an explanation on Feb. 16, adding that representatives from the Ugeens Berjaya Enterprise would also be called. A private company that funded UMS's research project on Japanese World War 2 shipwrecks has proper approval documents to carry out the salvage work in Usukan waters, said Sabah police. State Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din said police had carried out an investigation and found no irregularity with regard to the activity, which was allegedly carried out illegally. They (the company) has permission and they have proper approval (documents). They just did not inform the villagers prior to carrying out (salvage) work... This is a case of miscommunication." However, Ramli said police would conduct further investigations if there was any doubt regarding the salvage activities and the approval process. On Feb 4, diver Monica Chin lodged a report against Ugeens Berjaya Enterprise at Kota Belud police headquarters after three renowned wreck dive sites were destroved following UMS's research in Usukan Bay. Representing Kuala villagers, Chin in her report claimed that the company had carried out the project illegally, which led to the destruction of three World War 2 shipwrecks-turned-reefs, and did not notify the community. The project had angered fishermen as their fishing grounds were destroyed. Diving communities said the varsity should be held responsible for the destruction of the marine ecosystem in the area. Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the ministry would hold a briefing session between UMS and stake holders first before making any decision over the matter. The briefing will be held on Feb 16. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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