By Tupou Vaipulu Jr
A firearm and over 500 rounds of ammunition were seized from a Tongan ferry the MV Malau at the Suva Harbour in Fiji, the Fiji Times reported this morning.
“Fijian Navy ship RFNS Timo had intercepted MV Malau and escorted it to Suva Harbour where the gun and ammunitions were seized.”
The gun had proper documentation from Tonga but the recipient in Fiji did not posses a licence for the firearms, Fiji Times sources said.
The reasons behind the Fiji Navy's alleged interception of the ferry, which was en route to Suva for maintenance, remain unclear.
An operator at the Malau Shipping office in Nuku’alofa, told Matangi Tonga this morning, that the necessary documentation for the export of the firearm and ammunition had been provided. The operator declined to comment on the recipient's identity.
“The MV Malau was on its way to receive its annual maintenance service in Fiji,” said the Nuku’alofa operator, who chose to remain anonymous.
The operator emphasized that the ship is not being detained by the Fiji Navy and is currently undergoing maintenance. “Neither the ship, the captain, nor the crew are under custody – the vessel is presently receiving its scheduled annual service,” they said.
A vessel tracking website shows the MV Malau departed Tongatapu at 9:37pm (UTC +13) on 15 March and arrived in Suva anchorage on 18 March at 3:34am (UTC+13).
Fiji Police
This morning the Fiji Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rusiate Tudravu, confirmed in a live press conference, that one firearm and 600 rounds of ammunition were seized last night. The identity of the Fijian recipient has not been disclosled due to an ongoing investigation, he said.
Tonga registered vessel
The MV Malau is a Tonga registered passenger ship, operated by the Malau 75 Shipping company. The company is owned by an entity named, Kosilio Malau Vahenga Hahake Eua Inc., a community group.
The 60-meter-long vessel reportedly cost over $6 million pa’anga. Residents of ‘Eua contributed to raising funds for the ferry through an international dinner event, with tables priced at $10,000 pa’anga each.
The ship sailed to Tonga from Korea on August 2023, piloted by Captain Semisi Tangataevaha, with Chief Officer Kulisi Tungalu, Second Officer Aisea Taukei'aho, engineers, and crew - a voyage of over 8,000km.
Since then, the vessel has serviced the Nuku'alofa-'Eua route, contributing to the social and economic development of the outer island of 'Eua.
