KUANTAN: The China-registered grab dredger MV Chuang Hong 68, allegedly involved in plundering World War 2 shipwrecks in Southeast Asia, has the legal paperwork for sand dredging works.
The dredging ship, which was detained for illegally anchoring in Johor waters on May 28 last year was intercepted northwest of Tanjung Hantu, Perak on July 1.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) acting director-general Maritime Vice Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim said the sand dredger, registered in Fuzhou, China, had been issued a permit by the Marine Department.
"When detained in Perak, the enforcement team found 60 units of LPG cooking gas cylinders on board and we are unsure how they obtained it or the purpose of transporting the cylinders. They are investigated under Control of Supplies Act 1961 for the undocumented cooking gas cylinders.
"There are no issues of committing illegal activities at Malaysian waters as the vessel has been authorised for sand dredging works through a permit issued by the Marine Department at selected locations," he told reporters at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy (AMSAS), here today (Aug 3).
Saiful Lizan earlier inspected the Passing Out Parade of 75 Maritime Class II Seaman here.
When asked on the vessel's alleged involvement in unauthorised salvage at World War 2 wreck sites, Saiful Lizan said that was under the jurisdiction of the National Heritage Department.
"Although the MMEA is involved in the overall investigations, the National Heritage Department is looking into matters concerning the illegal salvage operations," he said.
On July 3, MMEA said the MV Chuang Hong 68 was discovered with a captain and 47 crew members while anchored in Perak waters.
In May 28 last year, the vessel was detained 20.1 nautical miles east of Tanjung Siang for illegally anchoring in Johor waters after it was suspected of plundering the wrecks of British warships HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales in Pahang.
In 2017, the vessel was allegedly responsible for destroying three World War 2 Japanese shipwrecks in Sabah and scavenged valuable items from a shipwreck near the Riau Islands province in Indonesian waters.