Latest news with #MohdTahir
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
‘Take care during sea activities'
KLANG: A total of 36 deaths involving incidents in Malaysian waters were recorded as of last month, said Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Maritime Air Operations Division director First Admiral Mohd Tahir Khalid. The deaths were due to multiple factors, including fishing, boating, recreational activities and bad weather. He added that data was based on 251 individuals involved in 108 incidents recorded by the agency, highlighting a need to improve public awareness on maritime safety. 'From that figure, there were 36 casualties, 203 were rescued while 12 went missing,' he told a press conference in Tanjung Harapan yesterday after launching the national Maritime Safety Awareness Day event, which was themed 'Berapung Untuk Hidup' (Float to Survive). He also said if the trend continues, the number of victims could surpass the 100 mark by the end of the year. 'In 2024, a total of 226 maritime incidents were recorded involving 1,348 individuals, of which 1,259 were rescued. From that number, 64 lives were lost and 25 remain missing.' Mohd Tahir urged all individuals involved in sea activities, including fishermen, tourists and recreational thrill-seekers, to learn how to tread water and swim and to always be mindful of personal safety, adding that mastering basic survival skills in water could save lives while waiting for help to arrive. He said fishermen and operators of sea activities claim it is uncomfortable to wear safety gear, including life jackets. 'Most of the incidents occur because the individuals were not wearing life jackets. If they had one, at the very least, they could float while waiting for help. Almost 80% of fatalities at sea were due to the absence of safety equipment. When incidents such as capsizing occur, the victims were often not wearing life jackets. 'They become complacent because they go out to sea every day without issues, just like drivers who don't wear seat belts on the road. But the fact is, they should always be prepared.' Mohd Tahir said encroachment by foreign nationals, including in cases of smuggling of illegal immigrants and drug trafficking, remains high in Selangor waterways. 'The waters of Selangor are vast, spanning 108 nautical miles, approximately 200km from Perak to Negeri Sembilan, so it is extensive,' he said, adding that MMEA monitors waters through sea patrols, aerial surveillance and radar detection. 'We also deploy aircraft and use radar along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In addition, we have the maritime community, which act as our eyes and ears. This is an MMEA initiative that we are actively pursuing.'
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
36 maritime deaths recorded, MMEA urges safety awareness
KLANG: A total of 36 deaths involving incidents in Malaysian waters were recorded as of last month, said Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Maritime Air Operations Division director First Admiral Mohd Tahir Khalid. The deaths were due to multiple factors, including fishing, boating, recreational activities and bad weather. He added that data was based on 251 individuals involved in 108 incidents recorded by the agency, highlighting a need to improve public awareness on maritime safety. 'From that figure, there were 36 casualties, 203 were rescued while 12 went missing,' he told a press conference in Tanjung Harapan yesterday after launching the national Maritime Safety Awareness Day event, which was themed 'Berapung Untuk Hidup' (Float to Survive). He also said if the trend continues, the number of victims could surpass the 100 mark by the end of the year. 'In 2024, a total of 226 maritime incidents were recorded involving 1,348 individuals, of which 1,259 were rescued. From that number, 64 lives were lost and 25 remain missing.' Mohd Tahir urged all individuals involved in sea activities, including fishermen, tourists and recreational thrill-seekers, to learn how to tread water and swim and to always be mindful of personal safety, adding that mastering basic survival skills in water could save lives while waiting for help to arrive. He said fishermen and operators of sea activities claim it is uncomfortable to wear safety gear, including life jackets. 'Most of the incidents occur because the individuals were not wearing life jackets. If they had one, at the very least, they could float while waiting for help. Almost 80% of fatalities at sea were due to the absence of safety equipment. When incidents such as capsizing occur, the victims were often not wearing life jackets. 'They become complacent because they go out to sea every day without issues, just like drivers who don't wear seat belts on the road. But the fact is, they should always be prepared.' Mohd Tahir said encroachment by foreign nationals, including in cases of smuggling of illegal immigrants and drug trafficking, remains high in Selangor waterways. 'The waters of Selangor are vast, spanning 108 nautical miles, approximately 200km from Perak to Negeri Sembilan, so it is extensive,' he said, adding that MMEA monitors waters through sea patrols, aerial surveillance and radar detection. 'We also deploy aircraft and use radar along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In addition, we have the maritime community, which act as our eyes and ears. This is an MMEA initiative that we are actively pursuing.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
80% of maritime accidents in Malaysia due to missing life jackets
KLANG: Nearly 80 per cent of the 226 maritime accidents recorded last year occurred because victims failed to wear life jackets, according to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The agency revealed that these incidents involved 1,348 individuals, with 1,259 rescued, 64 dead, and 25 still missing. From January to May this year, 108 cases were reported, affecting 251 victims. Of these, 36 died, 12 remain missing, and 203 were rescued. Maritime First Admiral Mohd Tahir Khalid, director of MMEA's Air Operations Division, warned that fatalities could double by year-end if the trend continues. Speaking at the 2025 Maritime Safety Awareness Day event in Tanjung Harapan, Mohd Tahir stressed the need for heightened safety awareness, especially among high-risk groups like fishermen. He noted that MMEA's average response time to accidents is up to two hours, making life jackets crucial for survival. 'Wearing safety gear during the critical window is essential, as rescue teams are dispatched as quickly as possible by boat or helicopter,' he said. Many victims, including seasoned fishermen, neglect life jackets due to discomfort, despite regulations requiring vessels to carry them. The annual event, themed 'Float to Live', marks the 2006 transfer of maritime search and rescue (CARILAMAT) coordination from the Marine Department to MMEA. Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh also attended the ceremony.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
MMEA links 80pc of 2024 sea deaths to lack of life jackets
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Nearly 80 per cent of deaths at sea last year involved individuals who were not wearing life jackets, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said today. According to Berita Harian, MMEA Air Operations Division Director, First Admiral (Maritime) Mohd Tahir Khalid, said 226 sea-related incidents were recorded in 2024 involving 1,348 victims. Of these, 1,259 were rescued, 64 died and 25 remain missing. As of May 31, 108 incidents have occurred, involving 251 victims — with 203 rescued, 36 dead, and 12 still missing. 'Most victims in emergencies weren't wearing life jackets. If they had, they could have stayed afloat while awaiting rescue,' he said, noting that nearly 80 per cent of deaths or missing persons resulted from the absence of safety equipment, particularly when boats capsized or people fell overboard. He also said many avoided wearing safety gear due to discomfort, although compact and user-friendly devices are now widely available. Mohd Tahir was speaking at the 2025 Maritime Safety Awareness Day (HKKM), themed 'Float to Survive', at Persiaran Kapal Bugis in Tanjung Harapan. He warned that if current trends continue, fatalities could double by year-end and reach nearly 100, underscoring the need for greater awareness among both seafarers and the public. Referencing the campaign theme, he urged Malaysians to assess their readiness and learn basic floating techniques. 'It's a skill everyone should have, whether for work or leisure at sea,' he added. 'Floating is one of the most basic survival skills in an emergency. 'Many victims could have been saved if they had the knowledge and training to stay afloat until help arrived.'
