PUTRAJAYA: The black box from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) helicopter that made an emergency landing in waters near Pulau Angsa has been sent to Italy for analysis.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the black box, which was retrieved from the AW139 helicopter on April 17, suffered some damage and thus would require the helicopter’s manufacturer to analyse its recording.
“It will take some time for the black box to be analysed. There is some damage so we have sent it to the manufacturer in Italy.
“They will be better equipped to analyse its contents and recording,” he said after attending the MMEA Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration yesterday.
A team of MMEA divers found the black box after 44 days of searching in the waters off Kuala Selangor after the incident on March 5.
On another matter, Saifuddin Nasution said MMEA Petty Officer Zainal Abad Komel, who was one of two officers injured during a shootout in the waters off Kunak district, has undergone two successful surgeries so far.
“He will be given good follow-up treatment. The ministry is committed to making his welfare its priority,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said the Home Ministry will prioritise MMEA’s need to increase the number of its personnel.
He said the matter will be discussed with the ministry’s secretary-general soon to address the agency’s needs.
“The needs of the agency should be of highest priority given the complexity of threats and the large area covered through its patrols and operations. Increasing the agency’s capabilities through acquiring new assets is a reasonable priority,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said the decision to purchase four helicopters worth a total of RM600mil has been finalised at the ministry’s level.
“The process will then be referred to the Finance Ministry for a final decision,” he said.
He also announced that the US Coast Guard has offered to give two patrol boats to the MMEA.
“The offer was made when I had a working visit to the United States in September last year. If Malaysia is willing, they want to hand over the assets to us, to mark the close cooperation of the two countries, especially of the two agencies in sharing information, expertise and experience in guarding maritime borders.
“The US Coast Guard sees Malaysia as a country they could learn from as our maritime border is 590,000 sq km,” he said, adding that MMEA has been instructed to evaluate the capabilities of the assets offered.
