Construction of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) stalled Offshore Patrol Vessels 2 and 3 has officially resumed under a Sarawak-based contractor, with full completion targeted within 36 months.
GEORGETOWN: The construction of two more Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), which had previously been stalled, has now resumed under a company appointed to complete both vessels, said MMEA director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah.
He said construction of OPV 2 and OPV 3 would be carried out in Sarawak as the appointed company is based in Miri and Sibu.
“The construction process is expected to take up to 36 months to complete, as the (partially built) vessels have to be moved from their current location in Klang to Miri,” he said at the 2026 Media Engagement Day programme in Teluk Bahang here today, which was also attended by Penang MMEA director Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli.
The media had previously reported that the original procurement of three MMEA OPVs was jointly terminated with THHE Destini Sdn Bhd on Dec 31, 2024, while OPV 1, named KM Tun Fatimah, was handed over to the MMEA on Jan 2, 2024.
The Home Ministry was reported to have said that the completion cost for OPV 2 and OPV 3 had been revised to RM319.58 million.
Meanwhile, he said the MMEA had secured approval for an allocation of RM1.088 billion for 16 projects under the Second Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan for 2027, covering infrastructure development, asset modernisation, enhancement of operational capabilities, as well as vessel and boat maintenance.
Of the amount, RM339.94 million had been allocated for physical projects, including the construction of the Johor Malaysian Maritime Complex in Mukim Tanjung Kupang, Johor.
“This development is a strategic step to ensure that MMEA assets and personnel remain capable, resilient and ready to face an increasingly complex maritime security threat landscape,” he said.
Mohd Rosli also said 872 arrests resulting from enforcement operations were recorded nationwide from Jan 1 to Oct 31, 2026.
He said the figure was recorded following 173,633 inspections and 38,712 searches conducted during the period, while the total value of seizures from enforcement operations exceeded RM2.65 billion.
In search-and-rescue operations, 180 cases involving 1,000 victims were handled, with property worth RM6.91 million recovered.
At the programme, which was attended by 36 media practitioners, Bernama was named the recipient of the 2026 Best Media Coverage Challenge Trophy in recognition of its commitment and excellence in producing news coverage that most prominently highlighted the MMEA’s role and operations to the public.
