Mohd Rosli (center) with Saiful Lizan (second left) and Mohd Zawawi (second right) posing for a photo with Che Engku Suhaimi (right), Mohd Khairulanuar (left) and Sabah MMEA officers and staff.
KOTA KINABALU (April 16): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recorded 87 cases involving the arrest of 321 people and the seizures of RM4.809 million in goods and items through Op Khas Pagar Laut 1/2025.
MMEA Director-General, Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the data showed the success of the operation which was carried out throughout the country’s waters which began from March 10 and ended on April 16.
“The operation involved four phases, starting from collection of information and asset readiness, followed by pre- and post-Aidilfitri enforcement right up to operations.
“During the 38-day operation, 87 cases were recorded with 321 arrests made which included 13 foreign nationals from Myanmar, Indonesia, China, Iran, Bangladesh, Vietnam and others.
“Based on the arrests made, statistics show that the highest offences were under the Fisheries Act 1985 with 44 cases, followed by the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 (26 cases) and the Immigration Act 1959/63 (16 cases),” he said.
He said this after witnessing the handing over of the MMEA Sabah and Labuan director post from Maritime First Admiral Datuk Che Engku Suhaimi bin Che Engku Daik to Maritime First Admiral Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid @ Razali at the MMEA Sabah headquarters here today.
Also present were Deputy Director General (Logistics) Vice Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim and Deputy Director General (Operations) Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah.
Mohd Rosli said RM4,809 million worth of items were seized during the Ops Khas Pagar Laut 1/2025, with the largest seizure involved two foreign fishing vessels worth RM3 million.
Other items seized include contraband cigarettes (RM958,000), lobster and fish seeds (RM500,490), boats and engines (RM222,900), vehicles (RM70,5000), controlled items (RM17,671.50), fishing nets (RM37,160) and diesel/petrol (RM3,215).
“The highest number of arrests was made in Johor with 22 cases, followed by Sabah and Labuan with 21 cases, and Sarawak with 14 cases,” said Mohd Rosli.
He added that the overall number of arrests under this year Op Khas Pagar Laut 1/2025 shows a decrease as compared to last year with 176 cases.
Mohd Rosli said the decrease in the number of cases was the results of continuous monitoring operation and cooperation between the community and the enforcement agency.
“This operation is not only towards enforcement but various awareness campaigns at sea such as the ‘Sahabat Maritim’ campaign and local community engagement were also carried out to strengthen the role of the community in becoming eyes and ears to this agency.
“MMEA will continue to be committed to maintaining the security of the country’s waters. MMEA will not compromise on any cross-border criminal element or invasion that threatens the country’s maritime security,” he said.
The post MMEA nabs 321, makes RM4.8 mln seizures in nationwide operation appeared first on Borneo Post Online.