ISTANBUL

The Malaysian maritime force detained a China-registered cargo vessel that was illegally anchored in the maritime zone in southern Johor state and loaded with suspected WWII cannon shells, local media reported on Monday.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained the Fuzhou, China registered ship that was anchored in the Tanjung Sedili maritime zone on Sunday after failing to provide anchor clearance during an inspection by a patrol boat at 12:45 pm local time (0445GMT), Bernama News reported, citing a statement by MMEA Johor Director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria.

The ship has 32 members crew, including 21 Chinese nationals, 10 Bangladeshis, and one local.

Additional inspections revealed the presence of old steel and cannon shells, which are believed to be connected to an unexploded ordnance incident in Tanjung Belungkor on May 19, Zakaria said, adding that MMEA is working with the police, the Malaysian Marine Department and the National Heritage Department to determine whether the cannon shells were from World War II.

The case is being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, and the agency is committed to keeping the waters free of illegal activities, he said.

A foreign ship was allegedly engaged in an illicit operation to salvage steel from a British warship that sank in the waters of Kuantan on Dec. 10, 1941.