Penang MMEA Steps Up Enforcement Ahead Of Aidilfitri

GEORGE TOWN, March 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has intensified security monitoring in the waters off Penang through the implementation of Ops Khas Pagar Laut in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebrations to curb maritime crimes, including smuggling and intrusion.

Penang MMEA director Mohd Suffi Mohd Ramli said the operationis are being carried out in three main phases: intelligence gathering from March 6 to 20, enforcement from March 21 to April 3, and post-festive monitoring from April 4 to April 10.

“As of today, we have not detected any suspicious activity. However, we expect maritime criminal activities to peak on the first day of Hari Raya and throughout the festive week.

“This is because some parties may assume that enforcement personnel are also on leave during Aidilfitri. That assumption is wrong as monitoring and enforcement continue as usual,” he told reporters here.

Earlier, members of the Penang media were allowed to join the operation with the MMEA enforcement team yesterday afternoon, with monitoring carried out along the southern waters of Penang before breaking fast aboard the vessel KM Sikuati.

One vessel and two patrol boats have been deployed to conduct monitoring patrols throughout the operation period to ensure smooth coverage of the operational sector spanning 85 nautical miles.

Mohd Suffi said the operation focuses on preventing the entry of undocumented migrants as well as curbing smuggling activities involving fireworks, firecrackers and controlled goods.

He said the operation also aims to combat the smuggling of dangerous drugs using sea routes, including via passenger jetties, passenger boats, ships and local fishing vessels as transportation mediums.

He added that among the offences frequently detected are encroachments by fishing boats operating less than five nautical miles from the shore using trawl nets, which not only violate fisheries regulations but could also harm the ecosystem and marine biodiversity. 

Mohd Suffi said Ops Pagar Laut enforcement from 2020 until last year recorded 21 arrests with seizures amounting to RM179,175.

-- BERNAMA