PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has assured the country’s maritime tourism safety is under control and is fully prepared to support the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
Its director-general, Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, said as Malaysia’s maritime law enforcer and search-and-rescue (SAR) agency, MMEA is key to reassuring both domestic and international tourists.
He said MMEA carried out 256 SAR operations, rescuing 1,768 of 1,930 people, with 125 fatalities last year.
“MMEA aims to prevent a rise in maritime accidents caused by negligence or poor safety awareness, especially among maritime tourists and operators,” he said in a statement.
He stressed that MMEA is on high alert to ensure maritime tourism activities are safe, secure and standards-compliant year-round.
Mohd Rosli pointed out that maritime safety requires the commitment of boat operators, tourism agencies and all involved, not just MMEA.
“Following safety procedures, including wearing life jackets, carrying emergency kits and personal locator beacons (PLBs), using registered and seaworthy boats, and checking weather conditions before going out to sea, are essential to prevent accidents and loss of life,” he said.
