Latest news with #MohdRosliAbdullah
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
RM294mil MMEA vessel to arrive in Malaysia by early 2027
KUANTAN: The construction of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's (MMEA) Turkish-made Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) is progressing ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed earlier than anticipated. MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the MPMS, which will serve as a mother ship, is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia by early 2027. "Construction began in March this year and had reached 17 percent completion by June, which is about two percent ahead of schedule. The 24-month construction timeline is progressing well, and we anticipate completing the vessel ahead of the original deadline. "If it arrives before the Lima exhibition (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition) in 2027, there are plans to showcase the ship at the event," he told reporters after launching MMEA's Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative at SMK Sungai Baging here today. Rosli said the 99-metre-long vessel, which can accommodate 70 crew members and 30 passengers, will be deployed to enhance maritime security and uphold Malaysia's sovereignty in the South China Sea. The ship, capable of operating at sea for up to 30 days without resupply, is currently being built by Istanbul-based Desan Shipyard. MPMS which includes four fast interceptor craft, two unmanned aerial vehicles, a helideck, medical facilities, and a detention centre is built with a cost of RM294 million.
Barnama
2 days ago
- General
- Barnama
SMK Sungai Baging Named First MADANI Adopted School By MMEA
KUANTAN, July 29 (Bernama) -- Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sungai Baging here, has become the first MADANI Adopted School of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) aimed at instilling leadership and patriotism among students. MMEA director-general, Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, said the programme is not just about corporate social responsibility (CSR), but a long-term effort to build character, discipline, and identity in young people. 'SMK Sungai Baging was chosen because of our close collaboration since 2018. The school is also the first to establish the Maritime Cadet Corps, which started in January 2020. Currently, there are 310 cadets,' he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
MMEA: Warship wrecks in Malaysian waters safe thanks to heightened patrols
KUANTAN: There have been no reports of scavengers looting sunken World War 2 warships in Malaysian waters over the past two years due to increased patrols by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the agency had intensified patrols around the sites of sunken warships within the country's territorial waters. "I can say the number of cases is zero because we (MMEA) conduct regular monitoring. Our patrol vessels and boats are out at sea monitoring all the shipwreck sites.... the last arrest was recorded in Johor in 2023. "We have made several arrests in the past and recovered scrap metal believed to have been stolen from these wrecks. Now, we constantly patrol the sites to prevent any attempts by scavengers to enter them," he said after launching MMEA's Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative at SMK Sungai Baging here today. Rosli said the strict enforcement efforts were also in response to strong interest from foreign maritime agencies, which were keen to know how MMEA was protecting the shipwrecks. He was responding to a question about whether illegal salvage operators were still operating in Malaysian waters and if there had been any reports in the past two years. In 2023, MMEA detained a foreign-registered grab dredger for looting steel and high-grade aluminium from World War 2-era shipwrecks, including the HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, off the coast of Pahang. The vessel was seized in Johor. On the Sekolah Angkat Madani programme, Rosli said SMK Sungai Baging was chosen due to its strategic location near the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy in Sungai Ular. He said the school, which established the Malaysian Maritime Cadet Team (Paskam) in early 2020, currently had 110 members and six of its teachers had joined the Malaysian Maritime Volunteer Reserve unit. "We now have a total of 586 Paskam members, including those from Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah and SMK Sungai Baging. "Joining Paskam provides early exposure for students to the maritime field and prepares them to join the Maritime Volunteer Reserve unit. This gives them an advantage if they choose to pursue a career with the MMEA," he said.
The Sun
5 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
5 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
