MMEA Sarawak to get new ship to prevent foreign encroachments
KUCHING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak will receive a new ship this year to be stationed at the MMEA’s complex in Muara Tebas.
MMEA Sarawak director First Adm (Maritime) Zin Azman Md Yunus said the new ship would mainly be used to protect waters surrounding Beting Patinggi Ali from being encroached by foreign vessels, especially from China.
“This ship will be bigger and able to stay out at sea for a month at a time. The size of the ship will also make it capable to face the rough seas, especially during the monsoon season,” he told a press conference yesterday after handing over the patrol boat KM Semilang to MMEA Tanjung Manis zone.
MMEA is assisting the Royal Malaysian Navy in monitoring Beting Patinggi Ali.
Zin said MMEA Sarawak would continue to monitor and safeguard the state’s waters from the encroachment of foreign vessels this year, with none recorded as of Tuesday (Jan 5).
“Maybe this is due to the monsoon period and also the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we are not resting on our laurels as patrols are still being conducted around the clock,” he said, pointing out that MMEA Sarawak currently has 15 ships and 15 boats for operations in Tanjung Manis, Bintulu, and Miri zones.
He said MMEA Sarawak is also involved in Ops Benteng Timur Laut to monitor the entry of illegal immigrants by sea.
“So far we have yet to record any encroachment of illegal immigrants or illegal foreign fishing vessels cases this year,” he said.
In 2020, MMEA Sarawak detained 97 foreign fishermen whose boats were found encroaching the state’s waters and seized fishing vessels and equipment worth about RM10 million.
MMEA was also involved in 20 search and rescue operations last year for those lost at sea and medical evacuation.
On another note, Zin advised local fishermen to always wear lifejackets when they are out at sea for their safety.
“We have seen half of the cases where the fishing boats are equipped with lifejackets. However, these jackets were not worn by the fishermen,” he added.
KM Semilang will be an added asset to the current one boat in Tanjung Manis zone, improving MMEA’s monitoring and search and rescue operations.
This ship will be bigger and able to stay out at sea for a month at a time. The size of the ship will also make it capable to face the rough seas, especially during the monsoon season. First Adm (Maritime) Zin Azman Md Yunus