PAKATAN Harapan (PH) is confident that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) will decide to remain with the MADANI Government at its National Conference this Sunday.
PH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said he is certain DAP will put national interests first to ensure the ongoing stability of the ruling administration.
"I believe the DAP leadership has the wisdom of a party that has been around in this country for a long time," Saifuddin said. "DAP will certainly place the national interest in terms of political stability, while defending and continuing the continuity that has been going very well at present.”
He made the remarks during a press conference following the official handover ceremony of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) AW189 helicopter at the Subang Maritime Air Station today.
Recently, DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke was reported to have said that party delegates would determine the party’s position in the government at the assembly this Sunday.
A motion on the matter will be tabled before nearly 4,000 delegates for a final decision. The conference will also collectively determine DAP’s future direction in the national political arena.
The congress was originally scheduled for July 12 but was postponed to allow the party to focus on the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said DAP was under no obligation to explain its internal decision-making process to PH.
"It is not DAP’s responsibility to provide an explanation to PH to make decisions aligned with their political policies and approach," said Saifuddin Nasution, who also serves as acting PKR Deputy President.
Separately, MMEA is expected to receive three additional AW189 helicopters this December, bringing the agency’s total aerial fleet to nine aircraft.
Saifuddin, who is also Home Minister, said the helicopter delivered on Thursday was part of a four-unit AW189 acquisition valued at RM529 million.
"This is the first helicopter out of the four, while the remaining three are scheduled to arrive in December," he said.
"The contract is worth RM529 million and I am grateful that this project has been completed," he told reporters at the air station.
MMEA’s existing aerial fleet consists of five AW139 helicopters. The addition of the first AW189 brings its current operational air fleet to six aircraft.
The expansion is critical to helping MMEA patrol the Malaysian Maritime Zone, which encompasses an area of 556,285 square kilometres.
"Besides the usual maritime assets, radar, ships, drones and boats, an important element for Maritim Malaysia is aerial surveillance, search and rescue functions, special operations and various other forms of tasks," he said.
He highlighted that the country’s waters face various threats, including incursions by foreign fishermen, foreign vessel intrusions, arms, drugs and contraband smuggling, human trafficking, as well as the entry of refugees and undocumented migrants.
He added that the AW189 offers superior capabilities compared with existing assets, particularly in terms of flight endurance, speed and payload capacity.
"This helicopter is operated by five crew members and can carry up to 14 passengers, besides being used for aerial surveillance, search and rescue (CARILAMAT) operations and special operations," he said.
Saifuddin emphasised that personnel capacity building was also receiving close attention to ensure crew members were fully equipped to operate the new aircraft.
"They are undergoing training, having completed training in Italy, and they will continue further training here before they are fully ready to operate this new aircraft," he noted.
He added that the acquisition would boost morale among MMEA officers, demonstrating clear support from the Home Ministry and the government for their role in safeguarding national maritime security.
Furthermore, the government expects to receive a mothership in the first quarter of next year to further enhance MMEA’s capabilities.
"This also shows that the MADANI Government places very high confidence in Maritim Malaysia for the purpose of safeguarding our maritime security," he said.
The procurement of the four AW189 helicopters was approved under the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) of the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP), with the contract running from 19 January 2024 to 18 January 2029. - August 13, 2026
