Batam, Sept. 17 -- The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) has prevented a potential disruption to shipping in the Malacca Strait near the Riau Islands after detecting a Vietnamese-flagged bulk carrier anchored in Indonesian waters.

Bakamla Public Relations Officer Major Yuhanes Antara confirmed in Batam on Wednesday that Bakamla personnel discovered a foreign vessel, MV Truong An 05, flying the Vietnamese flag and anchored in Indonesian territory.

"The bulk carrier was detected by Bakamla's Command and Control Center while engaging in suspicious activities, including drifting and anchoring 19 nautical miles from Tanjung Tamiang, Riau Islands," Yuhanes said.

He explained that the incident occurred on September 16 and posed a ...