27 Vietnamese fishermen fined RM4.14 million

KOTA KINABALU: Twentyseven Vietnamese fishermen were fined a total of RM4.14 million for using unidentified foreign fishing vessels and not notifying the authorities upon entering Malaysia waters.

On the first count, Sessions Court judge Elsie Primus imposed RM250,000 in fines each on two skippers and RM70,000 in fines on each of crew members for using two fishing vessels with unidentified registration numbers.

The offence was framed under Section 14(3)(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and punishable under Section 25(a) of the same Act.

The indictment provides for a fine not exceeding RM1 million each on the owner or master, and RM100,000 on every member of the crew, upon conviction.

On the second count, the skippers received another RM250,000 in fines each while crew members received RM70,000 in fines each for failure to notify by radio, telex or facsimile in the English or Malay language on the name of the authorized officer, the flag of State, location, route and destination of the vessel and of the circumstances under which it was entering Malaysia fisheries waters.

The offence was framed under Section 16(3) of the Fisheries Act 1985, read together under Section 24(1) of the same Act and punishable under Section 25(a) of the same Act.

However, three of the crew members, aged between 17 and 20, received RM10,000 in fines, in default, a month’s jail each for each charge.

The court also ordered the accused to pay prosecution cost of RM50,000 for each boat for custody cost.

First group comprising Huynh Tan Phuoc, Truong Van Duong, Ngo Hoang Vu, Huynh Van Han and Cao Van Hong were apprehended by the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in a foreign fishing vessel bearing the numbers SBF27 at 1.30pm on September 4, 2018, at Pulau Mengalum waters.

Meanwhile, the second group comprising Nguyen Duy Phuong, Huynh Tan Vu, Nguyen Van, Truong Van, Truong Van Hau, Dinh Van Binh,Le Tan Phlong, Danh Bao, Nguyen Van Lam, Pham Thanh Phong, Duong Van Hai, Pham Thanh Tuyen, Pham Van Vu, Nguyen Van Nam, Le Van Chien, Tran Phuoc Au, Tran Trung Heiu, Danh To, Pan Van Giang, Dang Van Sang, Nguyen Van Meo and Pham Van Tinh were apprehended in a foreign fishing vessel bearing the numbers SBF 28 at the same place and t ime.

In mitigation, the Vietnamese fishermen, aged between 17 and 73, who were represented by counsel Hamidah Ambo, prayed for leniency on the grounds that they wanted to return home as soon as possible and that they have families to support.

Prosecuting officer from the MMEA, Nasrul MD Nor, in his reply requested for a deterrent sentence to be imposed against the accused persons.