KOTA TINGGI: The Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) had given its assurance that MV Chuan Hong 68 is being kept under close watch to prevent it from escaping.
State MMEA director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said investigations were underway to prosecute the vessel's owner under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 or up to two years' jail, or both, for anchoring illegally in Malaysian waters.
He said the vessel was at sea as it was too big to be tugged to a jetty.
"We have instructed that the MV Chuan Hong 68's Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) be switched on round the clock and that it is frequently monitored."
AIS is a short-range coastal tracking system that can identify the position of a vessel.
"The moment they switch off the AIS, our enforcement officers will be at their stern. There is no way they can escape, as the vessel's speed is not comparable with ours.
"We can catch up if it attempts to go into hiding from its current location.
"We conduct random checks from time to time."
It is learnt that armed coast guards on speed boats are stationed surrounding the vessel as a deterrence measure.
Following the vessel's identification and its crew being detained, tugging the vessel to a jetty was deemed unnecessary.
Meanwhile, National Heritage Department deputy director Mohammad Muda Bahadin said its investigations had yet to be completed.
Any announcement, he said, would be made by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.