KL detains 18 Vietnamese

KL detains 18 Vietnamese

MALAYSIA: Eighteen Vietnamese fishermen are detained for fishing illegally in Malaysian waters after the navy stepped up operations to curb intrusions by foreign fishermen, smuggling and piracy, news reports said on Sunday.

Hamid Yasin, director of the navy operation, said the fishermen aged between 20 and 40 were rounded up in the South China Sea off the coast of northeastern Malaysia on Friday, the Sunday Star newspaper reported.

He said a navy boat saw fishing nets being lowered from two trawlers when it was patrolling the area. The fishermen tried to cut the nets to escape but failed.

Hamid said the fishermen would be charged in court for fishing illegally in Malaysian waters. If convicted, each could be fined and jailed for up to three months.

The Royal Malaysian Navy recently boosted patrols with the Fisheries Department, Royal Customs and Excise Department and the police to deter intrusions in Malaysian waters. -- DPA