SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recorded 37 arrests in the Sandakan maritime zone during the first six months of this year, with seizures worth more than RM1.2mil.
MMEA acting director-general Vice-Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim said these arrests demonstrated the agency’s commitment to combating criminal activities and misconduct at sea, particularly in Sandakan waters.
“The success of these arrests was significantly aided by information provided by the public, especially the maritime community, such as fishermen who are well acquainted with activities occurring in our waters,” he said yesterday.
Earlier, Saiful Lizan launched the Kembara Sahabat Maritim 2024 programme at SK Terusan Baru, Pulau Timbang.
He expressed hope that the maritime community would continue to act as the “eyes and ears” of MMEA to curb criminal activities at sea, thereby keeping the nation’s waters safe and secure.
“I hope more community programmes will be organised regularly because this helps to strengthen cooperation and understanding between MMEA and the maritime community,” he added.
Saiful Lizan also said the number of arrests so far this year nearly matches the figures recorded in the previous two years, with 47 cases and seizures worth RM86,000 in 2022, and 42 cases and seizures worth RM270,000 in 2023. — Bernama
