SANDAKAN: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) thwarted two cross-border attempts from the Philippines near northeast Pulau Berhala in separate operations, Tuesday.
Sandakan Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain, said in the first incident around 11.49am, Kapal Maritim Pintar (Km Pintar) detected a suspicious vessel about one nautical mile northeast of Pulau Berhala, believed to have departed from Taganak Island, Philippines and was heading into Malaysian waters.
He said, the vessel, registered under a cargo licence, was found to be carrying 14 individuals including a skipper, comprising 12 men and three women, aged between eight and 70.
“Most of the passengers were non-citizens and did not possess any valid identification documents.
“One of the passengers attempted to bribe an enforcement officer with cash, but the attempt was promptly rejected, and the money was confiscated as evidence,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
The vessel and its passengers were detained and brought to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty at 2.53pm for further action.
The case is being investigated under the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002, Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
In a separate operation at around 12 noon on the same day, another vessel with no registration number – dubbed a “ghost boat” – was intercepted approximately 4.3 nautical miles from Pulau Berhala.
Suhairy said inspections revealed that the boat was operated by a Filipino skipper who only possessed a MyKas identity document, along with two foreign crew members and one Malaysian.
According to him, further inspection uncovered 12 jerry cans filled with an estimated 300 litres of petrol, in addition to 700 litres stored in the main tank to power three 250-horsepower outboard engines.
“The fuel is believed to be used for regular travel between Malaysia and the Philippines,” he said.
Offences detected included operating an unregistered and unlicensed boat under the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 and transporting fuel without a valid permit under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
“This is more than just an illegal boat – it is a floating death trap loaded with flammable materials and no safety features. The vessel is suspected to be involved in covert cross-border activities,” he said.
All suspects and vessels have been taken to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty for further investigation by MMEA investigators.
“We reiterate our commitment to tightening border control and will not compromise on any attempts involving smuggling, human trafficking, or illegal entry,” he said.
The public is urged to channel any information through the emergency line 999 or contact the Sandakan Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-229504 for immediate action.
