KLANG: The latest iteration of Ops Pagar Laut will commence on Feb 27 and last until April 10, Home Ministry Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says. The minister, when met on a working visit to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency patrol ship KM Tun Fatimah, said that from 2020 to 2025 the operation has led to 344 arrests for various offences.
"The value of seizures exceeded RM106mil. The states with the most recorded cases are Sabah with 90 cases, Perak with 71 cases and Johor with 52 cases. At the same time there had been 863 cases of attempted entry by a recorded total of 3,700 individuals. These statistics show that the government does not compromise with any syndicate that uses the sea as a backdoor into the country," he said.
When asked if there is an increased amount of cases during the festive period, he said that it was a misconception that security was more lax during holidays.
"So from that data, it shows that there is a tendency among those trying to enter our country illegally to assume that during the festive season, enforcement efforts will be relaxed. That assumption is false," he said.
He also said that there had been no recorded kidnap for ransom on sea since 2020.
"But cases that occur often are smuggling cases. This included the smuggling of daily items as well as drugs and weapons. Their tactics vary but they have a transporter as well as their own intelligence hence why we must be quicker," he said.
The minister also broke his fast on board as well as attended prayers. Also joining the ship ride was a group of children and their caretakers from the Rumah Bakti Alkausar Bangi. Around 20 people, including children aged between six and 16 years old, joined the visit. They also broke fast together with MMEA officers on sea.
