KUCHING: Five maritime vessels, including a new Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), are expected to arrive in the waters of Sarawak at the end of this year to enhance enforcement control capabilities in the waters of Sabah and Sarawak.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Deputy Director of Operations, Rear Admiral Datuk Hamid Mohd Amin, said the strategy to reinforce assets in Borneo waters factors in the region’s abundant resources, such as petroleum and natural gas, food security, and readiness for control measures during the Northeast Monsoon (MTL).
“We have undertaken a study and initiated the deployment of two vessels, KM Marlin and KM Tegas, to this location.
“KM Tegas is currently operational in the designated area, specifically at Beting Patinggi Ali, so we will be sending two additional vessels, namely KM Marudu and KM Kimanis, from the mainland.
“The deployed assets are well-suited, equipped with adequate capabilities, and have the endurance to conduct extended sea patrols for safeguarding the waters of Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.
He said this at a press conference held after he presided over the concluding ceremony of the Eastern Strength Maritime Exercise 2/2023 yesterday.
“As for the upcoming arrival of the new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) expected by year-end, one of them is slated for placement in Sarawak.
“We have plans to station this OPV in Sarawak, specifically in Kuching, where it will fall under the jurisdiction of MMEA Sarawak,” he stated.
In a separate development, Hamid said the exercise which involved 652 APMM members, 14 units of equipment, and two aircraft, met its objectives.
