GEORGETOWN: Construction has resumed on two more offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
The construction of OPV 2 and OPV 3 wil be carried out in Sarawak as the company appointed for the works operates in Miri and Sibu, MMEA director-general Maritime Adm Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah told a press conference in Teluk Bahang on Tuesday (Nov 3).
"Construction is expected to take a maximum of 36 months, including the process of moving the vessels from their current location in Klang to Miri," he said during the 2026 Media Day event here.
Also present was Penang MMEA director Maritime Capt Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli.
It was previously reported that the original procurement contract for the three MMEA OPVs was mutually terminated with THHE Destini Sdn Bhd on Dec 31, 2024.
OPV 1, named KM Tun Fatimah, was delivered to the agency on Jan 2, 2024.
The Home Ministry said at the time that the cost of completing OPV 2 and OPV 3 had been revised to RM319.58mil.
Meanwhile, Adm Rosli said the MMEA had secured an allocation of RM1.088bil for 16 projects under the Second Rolling Plan (RP2) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for next year.
The projects cover infrastructure development, asset modernisation, enhanced operational capabilities, as well as the maintenance of ships and boats.
Of the total allocation, RM339.94mil is for physical projects, including the Johor Malaysian Maritime Complex in Mukim Tanjung Kupang, Johor.
"This capability development is a strategic step towards ensuring that Malaysian maritime assets and personnel remain capable, resilient and prepared to face an increasingly complex security landscape," Adm Rosli said.
In a separate development, he said a total of 872 arrests were recorded nationwide through enforcement operations between Jan 1 and Oct 31.
He said the figure was recorded following 173,633 inspections and 38,712 searches conducted during the period, while the total value of seizures from enforcement operations exceeded RM2.65bil.
On search and rescue (SAR) operations, the agency handled 180 cases involving 1,000 victims, with property worth RM6.91mil saved.
Tuesday's programme saw various media houses congregating with the MMEA in an informal setting.
Media prrsonnel were also brought to sea and put through an evacuation drill as a way to experience an MMEA officer’s day-to-day life.
"This programme serves as a token of appreciation from the MMEA to its media partners, who have consistently extended their cooperation in disseminating information to the public on the agency’s roles, responsibilities and achievements.
"The voyage from Swettenham Pier to Pantai Angsana, Teluk Bahang, involving assets such as KM Sikuati and KM Semilang, also provided media representatives with an opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the maritime world by experiencing a journey aboard an MMEA vessel alongside its personnel.
"I hope this experience will offer a glimpse into the environment and challenges faced by our personnel while carrying out their duties," Adm Rosli said.
