Latest news with #AW189
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
MMEA boosts fleet to combat sea drug smuggling in Malaysia
ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is intensifying efforts to curb drug smuggling through sea routes, with 80 per cent of illegal substances entering the country via maritime channels. MMEA Director-General Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah confirmed the agency is enhancing surveillance and deploying new assets to secure national waters. 'MMEA will not compromise on any attempt to smuggle drugs into the country via sea. Every inch of our maritime borders is our responsibility,' he said. The agency has recorded 117 drug-related seizures from 2020 to June 2025, valued at nearly RM200 million. To strengthen enforcement, MMEA has stationed the KM Tun Fatimah patrol vessel in the South China Sea and deployed new-generation patrol boats in high-risk zones. Additional assets, including the Ex-USCG Cutter Steadfast patrol ship, an AW189 helicopter, and a Multi-Purpose Mission Ship from Turkiye, will be operational by 2027. Mohd Rosli emphasised collaboration with other agencies, stating, 'These seizures save thousands from addiction. We will continue intelligence-driven operations.' Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail highlighted MMEA's role in safeguarding 680,000 square kilometres of Malaysian waters. - Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
MMEA on high alert, strengthens fleet to tackle drug smuggling at sea
ALOR SETAR: With 80% of drugs entering Malaysia via sea routes, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has stepped up patrols and strengthened its fleet with new vessels and aircraft to curb cross-border smuggling. MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said that the agency remains on high alert and will continue to enhance maritime surveillance and enforcement to prevent drug syndicates from exploiting national waters. "MMEA will not compromise on any attempt to smuggle drugs into the country via sea. Every inch of our maritime borders is our responsibility," he said in a statement on Saturday (July 26). He acknowledged that Malaysia's waters remain a prime target for international drug syndicates, which use sea routes as their "safe passage" into the country. He made the statement following Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's disclosure on Friday (July 25) that the majority of drug supplies entering Malaysia come through maritime routes. From 2020 to June 2025, MMEA recorded 117 drug-related seizures nationwide, valued at nearly RM200mil. "These are not small figures and every seizure saves thousands of lives from drug addiction. We will continue to intensify operations and intelligence work with other enforcement agencies to address this issue," he said. To boost enforcement capabilities, MMEA has deployed the KM Tun Fatimah patrol vessel in the South China Sea and stationed new-generation patrol boats at hotspot areas. The agency is also expecting the Ex-USCG Cutter Steadfast patrol ship in November, an AW189 helicopter in 2026, and a Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) from Turkiye in 2027. "These assets will strengthen not just our physical capabilities but also our monitoring and operational readiness at sea," Mohd Rosli said, thanking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for approving the acquisitions through the Home Ministry. Saifuddin had earlier said that MMEA is responsible for securing 680,000 square kilometres of Malaysian waters. – Bernama
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
RM200mil in drug hauls seized by MMEA since 2020
ALOR STAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has seized nearly RM200 million worth of drugs since 2020, reflecting its heightened readiness to tackle cross-border smuggling via the nation's waters. Its director-general, Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, said this reinforced the Home Minister's recent statement that 80 per cent of drugs entering the country are trafficked by sea. "MMEA will never compromise when it comes to attempts to smuggle drugs into the country by sea. "Every inch of our maritime border is our responsibility," he said in a statement today. Rosli said Malaysia's waters remain a prime target for international drug syndicates, which view maritime routes as the "safer passage" into the country. He said that from 2020 to June this year, the agency recorded 117 drug-related arrests nationwide with seizures worth nearly RM200 million. "These are not small numbers. Every successful seizure potentially saves thousands of lives from the grip of drug addiction. "Therefore, MMEA will continue to intensify operations and intelligence sharing with other enforcement agencies to tackle this issue," he said. To bolster enforcement capabilities, the agency has expanded its maritime and aerial assets in recent years. Among its latest strategic assets is the KM Tun Fatimah, currently operating in the South China Sea, along with several next-generation patrol boats deployed at known smuggling hotspots. The agency is also expecting the arrival of the EX-USCG Cutter Steadfast in November this year and the AW189 helicopter in 2026. A Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) from Turkiye is slated for delivery in 2027. "These acquisitions not only strengthen our physical capabilities but also enhance our surveillance and operational capacity at sea, proving the Madani government's commitment to equipping MMEA as the nation's maritime security shield," he said. Rosli also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his attention and approval of the agency's asset requests through the Home Ministry.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Barnama
MMEA On High Alert, Strengthens Fleet To Tackle Sea Drug Smuggling
ALOR SETAR, July 26 (Bernama) -- With 80 per cent of drugs entering Malaysia via sea routes, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is stepping up patrols and strengthening its fleet with new vessels and aircraft to curb cross-border smuggling. MMEA Director-General Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the agency remains on high alert and will continue to enhance maritime surveillance and enforcement to prevent drug syndicates from exploiting national waters. 'MMEA will not compromise on any attempt to smuggle drugs into the country via sea. Every inch of our maritime borders is our responsibility,' he said in a statement today. He acknowledged that Malaysia's waters remain a prime target for international drug syndicates, which use sea routes as their 'safe passage' into the country. He made the statement following Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's disclosure yesterday that the majority of drug supplies entering Malaysia come through maritime routes. From 2020 to June 2025, MMEA recorded 117 drug-related seizures nationwide, valued at nearly RM200 million. 'These are not small figures and every seizure saves thousands of lives from drug addiction. We will continue to intensify operations and intelligence work with other enforcement agencies to address this issue,' he said. To boost enforcement capabilities, MMEA has deployed the KM Tun Fatimah patrol vessel in the South China Sea and stationed new-generation patrol boats at hotspot areas. The agency is also expecting the Ex-USCG Cutter Steadfast patrol ship in November, an AW189 helicopter in 2026 and a Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) from Turkiye in 2027.
![80pct of Kuala Kubu Baru forest fire contained, efforts ongoing [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FKKBforestFire-MS2307_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1753276520.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
80pct of Kuala Kubu Baru forest fire contained, efforts ongoing [WATCH]
BATANG KALI: Firemen have contained 80 per cent of a forest fire that has scorched about 60 acres of secondary forest in Kuala Kubu Baru. Zone 6 chief Senior Fire Superintendent II Mustakim Rimon said efforts are ongoing and will continue until the fire is fully out. "We received an emergency call from the landowner at 6.26pm (yesterday) and we arrived at the location about 30 minutes later. "Upon arrival, we found that the fire involved a secondary forest, not a forest reserve, covering an estimated area of around 60 acres," he told reporters here today. Mustakim said 37 firemen from the Kuala Kubu Baru and Rawang stations were deployed to prevent the fire from spreading further. "There are no roads for vehicles to reach the site. The fire is about two kilometres from the nearest access point," he said. Firefighters had to carry heavy equipment to the location by hand. The fire's remote location and lack of water sources prompted the use of the department's air unit. An AW189 helicopter dropped 6,000 litres of water over the area. Drones with thermal imaging helped identify remaining hotspots for targeted efforts. Mustakim said the hilly terrain and hot, windy weather made the work more difficult. "The heat and wind have caused the fire to spread rapidly," he said. He warned against open burning, especially in forested areas, as such fires are hard to control.
