Malaysia accuses Chinese coast guard of escorting fishing boat

According to Kyodo news agency, Director General of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said on March 29 that last week, Chinese Coast Guard ships escorted 100 Chinese fishing boats into Malaysian waters at Luconia Shoals in the East Sea, off the coast of Sarawak state.

Chinese fishing boat. (Source: THX)

"It's unprecedented. It's the first time. That's why we're taking a cautious approach," Director General Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar told reporters.

This is the first time the MMEA has released detailed information about the incident of 100 Chinese fishing vessels entering Malaysian waters after the Minister in charge of National Security, Mr. Shahidan Kassim, announced the incident on March 24.

Also at the press conference, Mr. Puzi used a map to point out the intrusion of Chinese fishing vessels in Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Director-General Puzi added that these vessels were discovered while conducting operations from March 24-28, with the number of vessels ranging from 40 to 100.

According to the head of the MMEA, the Chinese fishing vessels did not fly flags or have registration numbers. However, Malaysia recognized that a Chinese coast guard vessel was escorting these fishing vessels, while another ship was anchored near Luconia Shoals, locally known as Beting Patinggi Ali./.

According to Vietnamplus