The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) chased away a Vietnamese enforcement vessel 'Fisheries Resources Surveillance KN 205' for disrupting its boat from carrying out its duty to detain a Vietnamese fishing boat that had trespassed into Malaysian waters.

MMEA deputy director-general (Operations) vice-admiral Ibrahim Mohamed said the MMEA boat caught the Vietnamese boat for trespassing into Malaysian waters to fish at about 167 nautical miles northeast of Tg Mat Amin, Terengganu, at 9.48am last Sept 18.

"The Vietnamese enforcement vessel attempted to prevent the MMEA personnel from detaining the Vietnamese fishing boat, he said, adding that they failed to get close to the fishing boat.

He said MMEA had reported the incident to the Foreign Ministry and also contacted the Vietnamese Defence Adviser to discuss the matter.

Ibrahim said the Vietnamese boat, with three Vietnamese crew members, including the skipper, was then towed to the maritime jetty in Kemaman.

The MMEA also seized 9,000 litres of diesel and fishing equipment, all worth RM700,000, from the boat, he added.

- Bernama