MMEA enhances security in national waters

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is stepping up security of the country's waters as cross-border crime escalates in tandem with the country's economic recovery.

 MMEA director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som said, over the past week, several arrests were made involving attempted entry of illegal immigrants in Selangor waters. 

Besides that, drug smuggling, especially in the northern part of the country, has been detected while the situation in Sabah and Sarawak is under control with only a small number of violations involving local communities detected.

“MMEA has drawn up several special operations plans in our effort to prevent maritime criminal activities regardless of whether it's domestic in nature or cross-border crime,” he said in a statement today.

He also said MMEA is also prepared to carry out search and rescue operations throughout the Northeast monsoon season which is expected to begin on Nov 7 until March 2023 as forecast by the Malaysian Meteorology Department.

"We are also asking the maritime community throughout the country to assist us in ensuring that the country's waters are safe by assisting the authorities, especially the MMEA,” he said.

On the 15th general election (GE15) Mohd Zubil said his officers and men have been given the option to choose postal ballots or vote at polling centres.

-- BERNAMA