PASIR PUTIH: TO avoid arrest in Malaysian waters, crews of foreign fishing vessels bribe enforcement agencies officials so that they can continue their activities.

The bribes range from RM5,000 upwards. This was among the discoveries made by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during its undercover missions.

A Kelantan MACC source told the New Straits Times that it had evidence that this had been going on for a long time.

The source said foreign fishing crews would target officers from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) or marine police.

“The crews target officers known to them based on past encounters. The crews would have the bribe ready in case they get stopped.”

The source said that on one such undercover operation, MACC officers on an MMEA patrol vessel found a Vietnamese fishing boat in Malaysian waters. The crew then waved a bag filled with money upon seeing the patrol vessel.

“This suggests that such bribes were already in practice.” MACC detained a Vietnamese fishing crew member for attempting to bribe an MMEA officer in March.

The 33-year-old man was sentenced to three months’ jail for committing the offence under Section 17 (b) of Anti-Corruption Act 2009. Kelantan Fishermen Association chairman Illias Hassan said local fishermen were aware of such practices being carried out by foreign fishermen.

“However, we did not have any evidence, only rumours.” MMEA deputy director-general (operations) Vice-Admiral Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said the agency would not tolerate such behaviour among its personnel.

“MMEA will not protect anyone involved in corrupt activities, regardless of rank.” MMEA, said Puzi, had been working with MACC since 2006 to combat graft and illegal activities, and had conducted joint-operations with the anti-graft commission.

-http://www.nst.com.my/