02-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia boosts assets, global partnerships to counter rising maritime threats
KUANTAN: Acquiring new assets and strengthening international collaborations are among the measures being taken by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to address increasingly complex maritime threats in the region.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that, in addition to bolstering its logistical capabilities, the agency must move beyond its comfort zone by engaging and learning from countries with established maritime expertise.
"The UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) recently reported a growing reliance on maritime routes for drug trafficking, surpassing land routes. Malaysia, with its extensive coastline, is particularly vulnerable.
"Besides that, we also face threats from foreign fishermen, human trafficking and contraband smuggling.
"At the international level, we conduct joint maritime operations, share intelligence, and participate in capacity-building efforts with our counterparts in other countries to strengthen MMEA's capabilities.
"These knowledge-sharing initiatives are crucial for enhancing maritime security.
"To further secure the country's waters, MMEA will receive several assets including the former US Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast later this year, a Turkish-made Multi-Purpose Mission Ship in 2027, four new helicopters to be delivered in stages next year, and the completion of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)," he told reporters at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy here today.
He had earlier attended MMEA's Junior Lieutenant and Junior Able Rate passing-out parade.
Also present was MMEA Director-General Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah.
On the procurement of OPV 2 and 3, Saifuddin said the agency is awaiting the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to finalise and issue the tender to the company selected to revive the construction project.
"Only the first OPV, KM Tun Fatimah, has been completed, following an additional RM150 million allocation from the MOF.
"We mutually agreed to terminate the contract with the original company for the remaining two vessels.
"An open tender has already been conducted, and we are now awaiting final approval from the MOF. Once the tender is awarded, construction is expected to resume and take about 24 months," he said.
Saifuddin said that the arrival of new assets will boost the morale and motivation of enforcement personnel while ensuring more effective maritime surveillance, complementing efforts such as radar-based monitoring.
A total of 68 Junior Lieutenant officers and 186 Junior Able Rate personnel graduated from MMEA's basic training programme today.
