KUANTAN: The China-registered grab dredger, MV Chuang Hong 68, which has been at the center of allegations involving the looting of World War II shipwrecks in Southeast Asia, holds the necessary legal permits for sand mining activities, according to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Legal Sand Mining Activities by MV Chuang Hong 68
This dredging vessel, registered in Fuzhou, China, and accused of previous illegal activities, was intercepted on July 1 northwest of Tanjung Hantu, Perak. Despite its controversial past, the vessel has obtained the appropriate authorization for sand dredging operations in Malaysian waters.
Permit Issued by Marine Department
Maritime Vice Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim, acting director-general of the MMEA, confirmed that the MV Chuang Hong 68 has been granted a permit by the Marine Department for sand dredging. This permit allows the vessel to legally conduct sand mining at selected locations within Malaysian waters.
Discovery of Undocumented LPG Cylinders
Illegal Cargo Raises Concerns
During the detention in Perak, enforcement officials discovered 60 LPG cooking gas cylinders on board the vessel. The origin and purpose of these cylinders are currently under investigation, with authorities probing potential violations under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 due to the undocumented nature of the cooking gas cylinders.
Clarification on Alleged Illegal Activities
No Illegal Sand Mining Detected
Saiful Lizan reassured that the MV Chuang Hong 68 is not involved in illegal sand mining activities within Malaysian waters. The ship’s operations are fully authorized under the permit issued by the Marine Department, which specifies the areas where sand dredging is permitted.
Investigation into World War II Shipwrecks
Salvage Operations Under National Heritage Department
When questioned about the vessel’s alleged involvement in unauthorized salvage operations at World War II wreck sites, Saiful Lizan clarified that these matters are under the jurisdiction of the National Heritage Department. Although the MMEA is part of the broader investigation, the National Heritage Department is specifically handling concerns related to the illegal salvage of historical shipwrecks.
Background of MV Chuang Hong 68
Previous Incidents and Detentions
On July 3, the MMEA reported that the MV Chuang Hong 68 was found anchored in Perak waters with a captain and 47 crew members on board. This is not the first time the vessel has been detained; it was previously held on May 28 last year, 20.1 nautical miles east of Tanjung Siang, for illegal anchoring in Johor waters. The vessel was suspected of looting the wrecks of British warships HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales in Pahang.
Historical Allegations in Southeast Asia
In 2017, the MV Chuang Hong 68 was allegedly involved in the destruction of three World War II Japanese shipwrecks in Sabah and the scavenging of valuable items from a wreck near the Riau Islands province in Indonesian waters.
Conclusion
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Proceedings
The MV Chuang Hong 68 remains under scrutiny for its past activities, but its current sand mining operations are legally sanctioned by the Marine Department. The investigations into its involvement in illegal salvage operations continue under the oversight of the National Heritage Department, ensuring that any breaches of the law will be addressed accordingly.