The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia has asked local authorities to protect the legitimate rights and interests of 60 Chinese crew members that Malaysian media reports say were detained along with six fishing vessels by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Saturday, an embassy spokesperson told the Global Times on Sunday.
The crew and vessels were held for alleged illegal fishing in waters east of the southern state of Johor, the reports say, with the crew members all China nationals aged between 31 and 60.
The embassy has contacted the competent authorities to further verify the relevant information, sent personnel to Johor Port for a consular visit to the Chinese crew involved, and will also assist the shipping company in handling follow-up matters, the spokesperson added.