KUALA LUMPUR: Local enforcement agencies have detained 478 foreign vessels between 2020 and 2025, with the majority consisting of Vietnamese fishermen, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said from the figure, 331 vessels or 69.25% involved Vietnamese nationals, indicating a significant threat level that requires stern enforcement.
"The government takes the encroachment of national waters by foreign fishing vessels seriously, particularly the persistent issue involving Vietnamese vessels.
"This directly impacts the national sovereignty, security, and the income sources of local fishermen," said Saifuddin in a parliamentary written reply dated Jan 21.
To address the issue, Saifuddin said the Maritime Enforcement Agency and the marine police were conducting joint operations. According to Saifuddin, the patrols were focused on encroachment hotspots, specifically in the Straits of Melaka and the South China Sea.
"The Maritime Enforcement Agency operates large-scale assets, including Offshore Patrol Vessels such as KM Bendahara and KM Fatimah for long-term patrols extending up to 200 nautical miles into the Exclusive Economic Zone.
"This projects a peaceful but firm maritime presence through white hull diplomacy," he said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the marine police strategically deployed patrol boats in territorial waters and border areas to curb cross-border crime.
Saifuddin added that enforcement was bolstered by intelligence and technology, utilising the Sea Surveillance System and Automatic Identification System to detect suspicious movement for rapid interception.
"The marine police is also empowering its Marine Intelligence Unit to gather and channel information to patrol teams, ensuring more focused and effective prevention," he said.
On the domestic front, Saifuddin noted that agencies were collaborating with the Fisheries Department in Op Naga to combat illegal, unregulated and unregulated fishing.
He added that Malaysia also continued to engage in joint patrols and consultation with security forces from Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines to maintain maritime stability.
Saifuddin was responding to Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki of Perikatan Nasional, who asked about steps taken to address the increasing incidents of foreign vessels, especially Vietnamese fishermen, encroaching into Malaysian waters.
