MMEA strives to enhance capability in handling emergencies, assures chief
MIRI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is going all out in enhancing its level of preparedness in the face of any eventuality, assures its directorgeneral Datuk Seri Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar.
He said besides setting up more permanent bases at strategic locations nationwide, the agency would also acquire more patrol boats, enhance the skills of its personnel and enter into smart partnerships with both local and foreign parties particularly those from the maritime community.
“As a maritime nation, we should be aware of the need to increase our preparedness and capability to consolidate enforcement as well as development of marine-related activities ranging from fishing, sports tourism, scuba diving and oil exploration,” he told reporters here yesterday after the handover of two confiscated foreign fishing vessels, of which the ownership had been stripped, to the Civil Defence Force (APM) here.
APM chief commissioner Major General (Rtd) Datuk Azmy Yahya, MMEA Sarawak chief First Admiral Ismaili Bujang Pit and APM Sarawak director-colonel Moktar Samat were present.
Ahmad Puzi added that MMEA was also building six new boats scheduled for completion in stages next year to intensify patrolling. In addition, he said they also had the allocation to build three offshore patrol vessels.
On the handover of the confiscated vessels to APM Miri, Ahmad Puzi said it was one of the strategies to consolidate the capabilities of safeguarding the territorial waters and enhancing the overall development of the maritime sector.
According to him, MMEA has 13 stocks of similar vessels offered to APM for use. These vessels are out from 926 foreign boats detained for illegal fishing in Malaysian waters.
“The rest have been auctioned off, valued at RM280 million which includes the cost of related facilities, the value of the catch and fines collected from the captains and crew members.”
He stressed that the smart partnership with APM, they hoped that maritime related crimes, like piracy, robberies, smuggling, illegal fishing and human trafficking could be further reduced.
He pointed out that although the Straits of Malacca had maintained the zero-piracy status since 2009, the smuggling of fuel to neighbouring countries had decreased over the last five years – this, he said, posed a great challenge in safeguarding the territorial waters.
“We need to also focus on illegal immigrants and human trafficking, which add to the present host of challenges. Bear in mind that our maritime border spans 6,200km – much longer than 4,460km coastline and double the international border on land,” he stressed.
On this, Ahmad Puzi hoped that efforts by MMEA and APM to reach out to the community would be supported by all.
Meanwhile in his remarks, Azmy said APM would use the vessels as the platform to train the members of local coastal community who had been appointed to act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of other maritime agencies, especially in curbing encroachment and other crossborder crimes.
“Although they are not equipped with firearms, they will be trained thoroughly especially in providing emergency aid in the event of natural disasters, while awaiting help from other agencies,” he said.
Initially, 1,000 members in Sarawak and Sabah would be selected and trained under this programme, of which Azmy said the number would be increased should the need arise.