Always on guard: Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel conducting routine inspections of fishing vessels in Terengganu waters near Perhentian Island. — Bernama
BACHOK: Celebrating Aidilfitri while patrolling the country’s waters is certainly no strange feat for members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), demonstrating their unwavering dedication to national security.
This exemplifies the sacrifice of the technical crew aboard MMEA’s vessel, KM Jujur, as they fulfil their duty in the waters off Kelantan.
Shahrul Nizam, 30, who hails from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, shared that it has been almost five years since he last celebrated Aidilfitri with his family.
Since completing his training and joining the service in 2020, he has been stationed at the Kelantan MMEA headquarters in Tok Bali as one of the crew members tasked with operating the engine of KM Jujur.
“After nearly five years residing in Kelantan, I haven’t had the chance to return to Sabah due to my work commitments.
“Video calls have been my main way of staying connected with my family.
“My mother’s cooking, especially her burasak and soto makassar, is something I miss dearly every Raya. “Unfortunately, these traditional Sabah delicacies are not available in Kelantan,” he told reporters after conducting a routine inspection of fishing boats in Terengganu waters near Pulau Perhentian on Friday night.
Shahrul said that to deal with homesickness during Syawal, he and his comrades resorted to playing Aidilfitri songs to alleviate their longing for family, Bernama reported.
“It’s the Raya songs that really help ease the longing for family back in Sabah and quell my sadness,” said the eldest of five.
Haziq Aiman Abdul Aziz, a 26-year-old KM Jujur navigation crew member who joined the service in 2020, said he was stationed at the Kelantan MMEA headquarters after completing his training.
The Negri Sembilan native said his task is to ensure KM Jujur navigates safely and avoids collision at sea during operations.
Haziq Aiman, who has not celebrated the festival in his hometown of Kuala Pilah for almost five years, said he has become accustomed to celebrating Hari Raya away from his family.
To keep in touch with his family during Aidilfitri, Haziq Aiman regularly communicates with them through video calls.
