SANDAKAN: A total of 67 arrests involving various offences in national waters has been recorded by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sandakan Zone for 2024, with a total seizure value amounting to RM90.32 million.
During this period, MMEA also successfully detained 136 individuals and prosecuted 26 people in court.
AdvertisementAccording to the Sandakan MMEA Director, Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain, a total of 23,705 ship inspections were carried out, and nearly 52,151 individuals were checked in the same period.
“MMEA is committed to combating maritime crime and fulfilling its responsibility to enforce national laws, including saving lives and properties at sea,” he said.
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“Throughout 2024, the Sandakan Maritime Zone conducted 173 CARILAMAT (Preventive SAR) briefings, 152 of which were carried out by assets at sea and 21 were conducted through briefings at schools and at the Sandakan Maritime Zone office.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“These briefings involved more than 1,500 participants, including students, associations, and both government and non-government agencies,” he said.
He also said that a total of 57 people and RM3.21 million worth of properties were successfully saved from 2022 to 2024.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The Sandakan Maritime Zone continually enhances patrol and readiness at sea to secure the 9,435 square kilometres (km) of the Area of Responsibility (KTJ).
“This covers a coastline of 416.3 km, from Pulau Jambongan to Pulau Tambisan, along the waters of Beluran, Sandakan, and Kinabatangan districts, to ensure the safety and security of our national waters for the maritime community,” Suhairy said.
He also reminded those who plans to conduct activities at sea to take safety measures such as wearing life jackets, checking weather forecasts, ensuring the boat is in good condition, carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), informing family members of their destination, bringing sufficient food supplies and avoiding activities in areas outside telecommunication coverage.
The public is urged to report any emergencies or accidents at sea to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-229504 or call the emergency line at 999 for immediate response.
