MMEA to open forward base in Langkawi

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has identified a location in Kubang Badak here to serve as the forward operating base to monitor the northern waters of the island against encroachment by illegal immigrants.

MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the base would help improve the country’s maritime border control.

“Before the issues relating to the Rohingya as well as Covid-19, the MMEA has actually identified a location in Kubang Badak to be made a forward operating base.

“MMEA plans to place two boats and 12 personnel at the site,” Admiral Mohd Zubil said.

“The location of the base will allow us to have a quicker response time to incidents such as criminal activities or rescue efforts.

“Currently, we need to make a long detour to reach the northern waters of Langkawi,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Admiral Mohd Zubil was commenting on a series of encroachment by ethnic Rohingya through the northern waters of the island recently.

Earlier, Admiral Mohd Zubil had attended the handing over of duties ceremony for the Kedah and Perlis maritime director’s post.

Former Putrajaya MMEA search and rescue and disaster relief division director First Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah replaces Rear Admiral Datuk Wan Afandi Wan Ahmad, who retired on June 11.

Kedah and Perlis maritime operations deputy director Kapt Zulinda Ramly was also present.