KOTA KINABALU – The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is appealling to local maritime folk here not to conspire or take part in the activities of criminal syndicates in Sabah waters.
The agency’s Sabah and Labuan director, Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, said this after it was revealed that two local fishing vessels were being used by a syndicate to bring in migrants illegally into the state last year.
He said local maritime communities should instead expose criminal activities by providing information to the authorities, especially on the trafficking of migrants into the state.
“Last year, MMEA Sabah and Labuan caught two local fishing boats trying to bring 120 illegal immigrants from the Philippines,” he told a press conference here to announce MMEA’s 16th anniversary observance.
“The MMEA successfully curbed the activity and told the boats to turn back to send the illegal immigrants back.”
Rosli added that the MMEA also had to ward off five foreign fishing vessels from trespassing on Malaysian waters last year. Two of the incidents happened in waters off here and Sandakan, while the remaining three took place in the northern district of Kudat.
Stressing that the influx of illegal immigrants has caused the number of Covid-19 cases to spike last year, he said the entry of illegal migrants must be stopped to curb the virus’ spread in the state.
On piracy, Rosli assured that the Malaysian authorities, alongside neighbouring nations, are going all out to put an end to such activities.
“The cooperation between the security personnel here and in the neighbouring countries is strong and we are working together to end this, regardless of the borders that separate our jurisdiction,” he said.
On the MMEA’s 16th anniversary, Rosli said the agency has picked the motto “We are Serious in Enforcement” to show the agency’s commitment to protecting the country’s borders. – The Vibes, February 15, 2021
