KUALA LUMPUR: More than RM1bil has been spent on assets and technology to strengthen the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said the investments are needed to address growing maritime security challenges.
Key acquisitions include two motherships under construction in Turkiye, each costing about RM400mil; four AW189 helicopters worth around RM700mil; a new RM88mil radar system in northern Sabah; and several fast boats.
“These investments have reached billions of ringgit, but they are necessary to keep our national security framework strong and responsive,” he told reporters after the Jelajah Wira Madani programme in Kuantan, Pahang, on Tuesday (April 28).
Saifuddin said the two motherships, the first for MMEA, are expected to be completed early next year. He added that investment in maritime assets has risen significantly over the past two to three years to improve the agency’s readiness.
He said the MMEA plays a key role in protecting Malaysian waters, especially strategic routes such as the Strait of Malacca, a hotspot for crimes including drug trafficking, arms smuggling and human trafficking.
Saifuddin identified three major maritime challenges: transnational crime, geopolitical tensions, and non-traditional threats such as illegal fishing and marine pollution. He said the South China Sea requires careful diplomatic management, while enforcement remains under MMEA’s responsibility.
He added that the agency has also benefited from international cooperation, including the acquisition of KM Bendahara, a cutter vessel received from the United States last year, which has strengthened patrol capacity in the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca.
On regional security, Saifuddin reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to neutrality and stability under the ASEAN centrality principle. He stressed that Malaysia would not allow any external power to impose unilateral decisions on its waters, particularly in the Strait of Malacca.
“Maintaining the security of the Strait of Malacca is our responsibility, not just for Malaysia, but for the global community,” he said.
He added that Malaysia would continue engaging all parties to preserve regional peace and stability amid rising geopolitical tensions, including developments in the Middle East that could affect global energy routes.
