PUTRAJAYA, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has assured that the country’s maritime tourism safety is under control and fully prepared to support the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
Its director-general, Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, said as Malaysia’s main maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue (SAR) agency, the MMEA is key to reassuring both domestic and international tourists in its waters.
He said in 2025, the MMEA carried out 256 SAR operations, rescuing 1,768 of 1,930 people, with 125 fatalities.
“The MMEA aims to prevent a rise in maritime accidents caused by negligence or poor safety awareness, especially among maritime tourists and operators,” he said in a statement today.
He stressed that the MMEA is on high alert to ensure maritime tourism activities are safe, secure, and standards-compliant year-round.
Mohd Rosli pointed out that maritime safety requires the commitment of boat operators, tourism agencies, and all involved, not just the MMEA.
“Following safety procedures, including wearing life jackets, carrying emergency kits and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), using registered and seaworthy boats, and checking weather conditions before going out to sea, is essential to prevent accidents and loss of life,” he said.
Mohd Rosli said that ahead of VM2026, special focus is on maritime tourism hotspots, including resort islands, coastal waters, ferry routes, and recreational sea activity sites, adding that their approach goes beyond enforcement, focusing on early prevention and safety monitoring to ensure tourists experience Malaysian waters as safe and well-managed.
Meanwhile, Mohd Rosli said that the MMEA will celebrate its 21st anniversary tomorrow in Miri, Sarawak, under the theme 21 Tahun Maritim Malaysia: Maritim Diperkasa, Samudera Terpelihara, highlighting its ongoing commitment to safeguarding the nation’s waters.
He said the celebration also strengthens ties among the MMEA, maritime communities, tourism and shipping industry players, and related agencies, while promoting maritime safety and public awareness of the MMEA's role in protecting national waters.
-- BERNAMA
