PUTRAJAYA: In a bid to strengthen maritime security and address emerging threats at sea, the Home Ministry has sealed a US$83.75mil (RM330.8mil) contract for the procurement of a second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS).
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the acquisition of strategic assets such as the MPMS is a key government priority to ensure Malaysia’s maritime sovereignty remains protected amid rising challenges, including smuggling and encroachment by foreign vessels.
“We are facing encroachment by foreign vessels and fishermen, which affects marine resources and poses a threat to national security and sovereignty.
“The procurement of assets such as the MPMS is crucial in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in safeguarding the country’s maritime sovereignty,” he said at a press conference after witnessing the contract signing ceremony here yesterday.
The contract was awarded to Turkiye-based Desan Shipyard, with a 24-month implementation period from Feb 1 this year to Jan 31, 2028. It was signed by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman and Desan Shipyard representative Cenk Ismail Kaptanoglu.
Saifuddin Nasution said Malaysia’s vast maritime area of about 590,000 sq km requires stronger patrol, surveillance and enforcement capabilities, especially as smuggling activities are fuelled by price differences in subsidised goods such as diesel and by global uncertainties, including conflicts in the Middle East.
The 99m-long MPMS, he said, is designed to perform multiple roles, including patrol, monitoring, enforcement, prevention, and search and rescue, with longer endurance at sea, a helicopter deck, and a larger crew capacity.
“The first vessel is currently about 70% complete and ahead of schedule by around 21 days,” he said, adding that the ministry is optimistic both vessels will be completed on schedule.
In a separate development, Saifuddin Nasution said all registration and identity document replacement processes for victims of the Kampung Bahagia fire in Sandakan, Sabah, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with priority given to genuine Malaysian citizens who lost their documents.
“If such incidents occur, resulting in the loss of documents, we will provide replacement documents. At the same time, we cannot simply issue documents to those who are not eligible.”
On Sunday, 9,007 residents were displaced after a fire destroyed about 1,000 stilt houses, and several temporary evacuation centres were opened.
