KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel died after a patrol boat was trapped against a concrete structure during a high-speed pursuit of a vessel suspected of transporting undocumented migrants off Perlis.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the incident occurred while MMEA personnel were carrying out routine border surveillance operations.
He said the team had spotted a suspicious vessel and initiated a pursuit before their patrol boat became pinned against the structure.
"During the pursuit, our boat was pinned against a concrete structure, resulting in injuries to our personnel, with one fatality," he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 27).
Saifuddin said maritime enforcement operations carried inherent risks, adding that similar incidents had previously occurred in the Strait of Malacca and areas under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
He said the ministry continued to prioritise the MMEA in terms of operational assets, equipment and training to ensure its personnel were adequately prepared for such assignments.
"MMEA is among the agencies under the Home Ministry given priority in terms of assets, alongside competency, training and operational procedures.
"This is also important in maintaining the morale of our personnel," he said.
Saifuddin also conveyed his condolences to the deceased's family, adding that MMEA director-general Rear Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah was accompanying them as arrangements were made for the burial.
Earlier, police confirmed that one MMEA personnel had died and three others were injured in the incident, which occurred at about 12.30am during a border security operation in Perlis waters.
The patrol boat was reportedly pursuing a vessel believed to be carrying nine undocumented Myanmar migrants when it collided with a coastal wall near Sungai Padang, throwing four personnel into the water.
The deceased was initially reported missing following a headcount before his body was recovered about an hour later during a search operation.
His remains were taken to the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar for a post-mortem examination and were expected to be brought to his hometown in Kuala Nerang, Kedah, for burial.
