MMEA launches ‘Redback’ joint exercise with Australian Border Force
PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ( MMEA) yesterday launched the ‘ Redback’ joint training exercise with the Australian Border Force (ABF) in efforts to boost maritime security in both countries.
MMEA director- general Datuk Zulkif li Abu Bakar said the joint training was aimed at strengthening cooperation between MMEA and ABF which was established four years ago.
He said although MMEA and ABF had shared intelligence on cross- border crimes through a series of eight ‘ Ops Redback’, the latest effort would focus on maritime security surveillance simulations.
“Previously, MMEA and ABF only exchanged information and expertise to curb migrant smuggling and the like, but this exercise is more geared towards practical training to improve security in their respective waters.
“In addition, the exercise will also strengthen the search and rescue exercises at sea, thereby strengthening the cooperation of both countries to further combat cross-border crimes,” he told reporters after launching the exercise at the Boustead Terminal here yesterday.
Zulkif li said the six- day exercise which began yesterday in the Straits of Melaka, involved three phases, namely while at the port; sea; and the closing phase through various training modules, among them pertaining to the consolidation of international maritime law.
He said the KM Marlin and KM Bagan Datuk vessels, as well as several MMEA air assets would be used throughout the exercise, with the participation of about 100 personnel and officers from the MMEA, Royal Malaysian Navy and the Marine Police.
Meanwhile, ABF acting commissioner Micheal Outram said the Aussie border force was happy to cooperate and work with Malaysia following good rapport and intelligence sharing on maritime crimes.
The 42- member delegation from ABF led by Outram arrived at the Boustead Terminal here last Friday after sailing for eight days from Australia, using its largest vessel, the ABF Cutter Ocean Shield.
Outram said this was the first time the ship had arrived in Malaysia, and hoped the delegation’s visit would further enhance the good relations between the two countries.
He added the ‘ Ocean Shield’ was directly involved in assisting Malaysia in the search mission for vanished Malaysia Airlines MH370 whose final f light path was in the southern Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014. — Bernama