The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Thursday (8 January) said two foreign tugboats with 17 men onboard have been detained for illegal anchoring.
Mersing Maritime Zone Director Maritime Comm Suhaizan Saadin the two tugboats were found about 0.4 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Besar near Mersing, Johor, at around 11pm on 7 January.
The investigation found that tug boats did not report their arrival and were anchored without authorisation from the Malaysian Marine Department.
Further investigations also found that all 17 crewmen and captains of both tugboats are suspected to be Indonesian citizens within the age range of 34 to 51.
He added the men were detained to assist the investigation under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 12 January, 2026
