SANDAKAN, March 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sandakan Maritime Zone has stepped up operations ahead of the Aidilfitri festive season by deploying up to eight assets here to combat cross-border crimes, including smuggling.
Its Deputy Director of Operations, Maritime Commander Ahmad Firdaus Shaari, said the agency is also working closely with Philippine authorities to strengthen security control.
"We have established cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to ensure maritime border security," he told reporters here today.
He added that this collaboration was demonstrated through the rescue of six victims from a capsized boat in the Philippines, who drifted into Malaysian waters last Sunday.
"MMEA Sandakan received information about a vessel that departed from Turtle Island in Taganak, Philippines, en route to Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, which capsized, causing some victims to drift into Malaysian waters.
"We deployed two assets, Halilintar 4 and KM Belud, to the location, which took approximately an hour due to rough weather. Upon arrival, we found six victims—three men, two women, and a child—who were drifting at sea. They were successfully rescued and brought to Sandakan," he said.
According to him, all victims, aged between 11 and 45, were handed over to Philippine authorities at the Malaysia-Philippines maritime border at 10.30 am yesterday.
-- BERNAMA
