MMEA PLANS TO PROCURE NEW RADARS

PUTRAJAYA, 25 Nov (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is planning to procure new radars to be placed in strategic areas, including the waters of Sarawak and the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Its director-general, Rear Admiral (Maritime) Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the placement of radars would expand the coverage of maritime surveillance and boost enforcement efficiency.

“The new radars will be integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) technology under the Malaysia Coast Guard Maritime Domain Awareness (MCGMDA) system, making it capable of analysing data more comprehensively and responsively.

“The combination of technologies will strengthen security and ensure enforcement effectiveness in Malaysia’s waters,” he said in a statement today, as he expressed his hope that the agency’s efforts would be fully supported by the Home Ministry to ensure the implementation of technology would be applied effectively.

“The use of AI technology is not only relevant but is a strategic need to face maritime security challenges in the future,” he said, adding that it would also optimise human resources and existing assets and ensure more efficient control in the country’s waters.

Mohd Rosli said that MMEA welcomed Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail recommendation during the monthly ministry gathering today that all agencies under his ministry would use AI in their operations to boost service quality.

He stressed that the agency was always proactive in exploring the use of modern technology such as AI as a strategic measure to strengthen security controls in national waters.

“The use of drones or autonomous boats controlled by AI technology, for instance, is viewed as being capable of conducting automatic patrols in large areas, detect suspicious activities and to analyse real time data for swift action,” he added.

-- BERNAMA