KANGAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) arrested six Thai fishermen near Langkawi yesterday for encroaching on Malaysian waters and stealing marine resources.
The suspects allegedly trespassed on Malaysian territory at three locations on three unregistered foreign fishing boats 5.7 to 6.3 nautical miles southeast of Pulau Tanjung Dendang, Langkawi.
Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone director Mohd Hashim Mat Zain today said his team spotted suspicious boats between 8.45am and 9.05am when patrolling waters off Perlis.
"We approached the boats. Upon inspection, we found that all three were from a neighbouring country.
"The suspects claimed they have relatives near the Malaysia-Thailand border. That was their excuse to freely enter and exit the country.
"We suspect they were catching crab. We arrested three captains and three crew members, aged 20 to 48."
He said the case is being investigated for illegal fishing by a foreign vessel in Malaysian waters and for not possessing valid documents to enter Malaysia.
In a separate incident, a local fishing boat without a registration number was seized in waters off Kuala Sungai Baru, Simpang Empat, on Saturday.
Hashim said: "The boat was detected about 11.50am, 0.17 nautical miles southwest of Kuala Sungai Baru, Simpang Empat.
"Upon inspection, we found a 63-year-old local captain harvesting shellfish.
"The suspect tried to flee, but engine trouble forced him to surrender.
"Anglers had lodged complaints about the suspect's activities."
All suspects and seizures worth RM40,000 were taken to the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone operations jetty before being handed over to investigation officers for further action.
The MMEA urged the public to report smuggling and maritime crime in state waters.