The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) ordered five merchant ships from various countries to leave as they were found to have anchored without permission in the waters of Tompok Utara, near Kota Tinggi, yesterday.

Johor Maritime director First Admiral (Maritime) Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the ships registered in Dominica, Indonesia, Palau, Panama and Liberia were evicted via an operation.