NEARLY 12,000 INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED BY MMEA IN SARAWAK WATERS IN 2025

KUCHING, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- A total of 11,938 inspections were carried out by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Sarawak throughout 2025 to ensure maritime safety, legal compliance and the continued protection of the country’s maritime sovereignty.

Sarawak Maritime Director, Maritime First Admiral Mohd Khairi Abdul Aziz, said that during the period, the Sarawak MMEA conducted 4,276 searches and made 81 arrests involving 353 individuals for various maritime offences.

He said the improvement in enforcement effectiveness was driven by the implementation of several major operations, including Op Naga Sarawak, Op Tiris and Op Tongkang Balak, which focused on curbing illegal activities in Sarawak waters.

In addition to enforcement efforts, Mohd Khairi said the Sarawak MMEA also recorded encouraging performance in search and rescue (SAR) operations.

“Among the notable successes was the SAR for two American citizens after their yacht suffered engine failure in Miri waters, where they were rescued by the Maritime Vessel (KM) SIAGUT in March last year.

“We also rescued seven fishermen following a boat sinking incident in Kuching waters in June last year,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Khairi added that throughout 2025, the Kuching Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) recorded 21 maritime emergency incidents involving 143 victims, with 122 people rescued, 10 deaths and 11 others reported missing.

“Sarawak MMEA will continue to strengthen monitoring of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in 2026 to ensure that the nation’s waters remain safe and sovereign,” he said.

-- BERNAMA