RM256,000 collected in compounds: MMEA
Published on: Saturday, September 24, 2016
Sandakan: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here has recorded a total of 446 cases since it began operations here nine years ago. The cases include contraband cigarette smuggling, arrests of illegal immigrants, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants to foreign countries. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said out of the figure, a total of 117 cases have been brought to court with compounds of about RM256,000 collected apart from stopping foreign fishing boats namely 69 Filipino boats and one from Vietnam.
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He said within the same period, a total of 1,667 people have been arrested and out of the figure, a total of 345 have been put in prison for various offences. In April and May, two arrests on boats also succeeded in blocking 4,468 cartons of smuggled contraband cigarettes involving import duty, excise duty and Goods and Services Tax, with contraband cigarette smuggling estimated to be worth more than RM500,000. Shahidan said this when officiating at the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency office at Jalan Buli Sim-Sim,here, on Thursday. His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Raymond Tan who is Industrial Development Minister.
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Also present were MMEA Director-General Dato' Sri Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, Batu Sapi MP Datuk Linda Tsen and Karamunting Assemblyman Charles O Pang among others. The construction of the MMEA Sandakan office building started on March 1, 2012 and was handed over to the MMEA Sandakan on Nov 27 last year.
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The premises began full operations on Jan 4 this year. The site was obtained from the State and Federal government with RM3 million compensation paid to the land original owner. Prior to this, the MMEA Sandakan office was located at the Menara Majlis Perbandaran Sandakan. The construction of the new premises which has five floors is worth about RM40 million and built on seven acres, the premises is not only equipped with facilities such as a jetty, lockup, lecture rooms, meeting room, office and logistics, but is also the first MMEA building in the State. The ceremony also saw 53 officers and personnel receiving the Pingat Kedaulatan Negara. The recipients are part of the 200 MMEA officers and personnel stationed in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone and were on duty during the Tanduo incursion. On that note, Shahidan said the government has always given attention to the development of the Malaysian Maritime since its inception in Feb 15, 2005. He said MMEA has developed as a Malaysian Coast Guard and has continued to succeed in carrying out its duties despite being only 11-years-old. He cited the MT Sun Bride and MT Orkim Harmoni success in addressing robbery cases in the country's waters. In addition, he explained, not only is MMEA tasked with enforcement and rescue operations, but also committed in its role and cooperation with other agencies. He said foreign maritime agencies from the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam among others have also cooperated well. On a related development, Shahidan said MMEA will also receive new assets in stages among them six units of New Generation Patrol Craft. "Apart from that, MMEA will also be given allocation to buy three Offshore Patrol Vessels to boost patrols and control at sea particularly in the Melaka Straits, Southern Johor, Sabah and Sarawak as well as several hotspots," he said. He thus hoped MMEA will continue to implement duties mandated and remain committed in addressing crime and emergency at sea. Meanwhile, Tan who is Tg Papat Assemblyman in a media conference here said MMEA's presence in the district together with other security enforcement agencies needs to be supported by the community including working together with the agencies. He said this is also evidence to the government's commitment in addressing safety issues. On another development, he said the community must verify all messages or video circulated over social media before making assumptions. Meanwhile, MMEA Director-General Ahmad Puzi said plans are being done to open another MMEA office in Semporna, adding that discussions are being done over the matter. He said MMEA has also been involved in search and rescue operations involving Spaniards and China nationals as well as locals who went missing at sea in Kudat, adding that the search involved not only local agencies but international agencies as well. He also said the additional assets for MMEA will make the agency a force to be reckon with not only by 2020 by also by 2040. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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