Eaic Dismayed After Mmea Officers Let Off With Slap On Wrist

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The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has expressed dismay after the crew of a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) vessel was let off with punishments described as “too lenient”.
It said that following its investigation of an incident in July 2023, it has found several instances of misconduct and recommended disciplinary action against its commanding officer - as well as other officers and personnel - including demotion and termination.
On Jan 15 this year, however, the EAIC received feedback from MMEA that the vessel’s commanding officer had been fined seven days’ emoluments. The rest of the crew was found not guilty, as they were merely following the commanding officer’s orders.
“The EAIC is extremely disappointed with the MMEA disciplinary authority’s decision on the penalty, which it views as too lenient compared to the misconduct by the commanding officer, officers, and personnel of the MMEA vessel that didn’t now show integrity in carrying out their duties,” it said in a statement today.
According to the EAIC, it was probing a video showing an MMEA vessel tied up to a Zone C fishing vessel operated by a Vietnamese crew off the coast of Kelantan. The incident took place on July 7, 2023.
It found that the MMEA vessel had tied up with the fishing boat without permission from about 8pm to 3.40am, and also filed false situation reports and position, heading, and speed reports to the Maritime Operational Command.
“Officers and personnel of the MMEA vessel were found to have tied up to the Zone C fishing vessel involved in jigging squids and fishing, twice, which raises negative perception and taints the force’s image,” the EAIC said.
The MMEA crew also issued a form to the fishing vessel containing false information regarding the search conducted on their ship. The EAIC said it has reported this to the police to open investigations on potential commercial crime aspects of the incident.
In addition, the EAIC said the vessel had failed to report a shooting incident while pursuing a Vietnamese fishing boat several days later on July 12, 2023. - Mkini

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