Malaysia Targets Anchoring Vessels with ‘Operation Jangkar Haram’

As reported by local correspondent Spica Services Malaysia, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has launched ‘Operation Jangkar Haram’, which translates to ‘Operation Anchoring Illegally’.

The MMEA is officially urging shipowners to seek permission to anchor in the eastern waters of Johor (South China Sea). Johor Maritime Director, Nurul Hizam Zakaria, said the MMEA would not hesitate to take action against merchant ships which are considered to be anchored illegally in the eastern waters of Johor.

Since 24 March 2021, it is reported by Spica that 31 merchant ships anchoring without the permission have been detained as part of Operation Jangkar Haram.

Malaysian news outlet ‘The Star’ reports that the MMEA will have helicopters communicating with the vessels in the area, warning them to leave immediately. If they fail to leave the area within four hours, then the Malaysian Special Task and Rescue Force (PTK) will seize the vessels under Section 49B(1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission from the Marine Department.

In support of these actions, Spica say the MMEA appears to be using territorial limits prescribed by a 1979 chart. In the waters of Southern Johore, often referred to as Singapore OPL East, these territorial limits are as much as 60 nautical miles offshore.

Court charges may be faced and, where found guilty, fines levied. Whilst the fines levied have historically been modest, typically in the region of MYR50,000 per offence (US$12,000), release procedures typically take a number of weeks to conclude.

Read the SPICA bulletin here.

See our earlier article on disputed port limits on the Western approaches here.