Budget 2024: Timely move for new assets, says MMEA

PETALING JAYA: The new assets for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) are timely as current boats are old and expensive to maintain, it said.

MMEA acting director-general Vice-Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim, in a statement Friday (Oct 13), said that the additional assets will be used to bolster maritime security within the county’s waters and that it was the result of the Home Ministry “strongly proving” MMEA's urgent need.

He added that the arrival is timely as current maritime assets are not sufficient to address current duties, adding that current boats and ships are old and maintenance difficult.

“It is difficult to maintain and could also potentially lead to greater risk of damages while also putting the safety of officers on duty at risk,” he said.

Saiful also said that fulfilling the agency’s needs in phases will also bring confidence to the public in the government's efforts in protecting the security and well-being of the people.

During the reading of Budget 2024, it was announced that the MMEA will receive nine new interceptors and "next generation patrol" boats.