NEW MULTIPURPOSE MISSION SHIP TO BE DEPLOYED IN SARAWAK WATERS – MMEA

KUCHING, March 25 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will deploy a Turkish-made multipurpose mission ship (MPMS), worth US$68.8 million (RM304.29 million), in the waters of Sarawak.

Its director-general, Admiral Maritime Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, said that deploying significant maritime assets in Sarawak can strengthen the security and sovereignty of the state's waters, particularly in the South China Sea.

He said that the effort is also to ensure sufficient assets for the vast water areas in addition to supporting search and rescue operations.

"I just returned from Tukiye... the Malaysian Maritime (MMEA) with the team from the secretary-general of the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) and Turkiye’s Desan Shipyard are collaborating to transfer this new ship.

"This mothership can accommodate four fast boats for patrols and enhance surveillance capabilities as well as search and rescue operations. Our focus is to ensure the safety and sovereignty of Sarawak's waters, especially in the South China Sea," he said after a courtesy visit on Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.

Mohd Rosli said that three locations in Sarawak have been identified for development with the Sea Surveillance System (SWASLA), namely in Miri at Canada Hill, Bintulu (Bukit Nyabau) and Kuching (Tanjung Datu), which are valued at around RM200 million.

"Additionally, we are also developing a maritime zone in Sarikei, and the MMEA has identified the land and submitted an application to obtain the land from the state government.

"Another project is the expansion of the jetty in Muara Tebas so that the new 'Tun Fatimah' ship can be stationed in Sarawak. Currently, it is difficult to dock the ship because the jetty in Muara Tebas is short.

The project to extend the jetty has been approved for RM79 million and is currently underway," he also said.

-- BERNAMA