By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 2: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) first offshore patrol vessel (OPV1), KM Tun Fatimah, has thwarted two cases of foreign vessels’ invasion since it conducted its maiden official patrol in Sarawak waters on January 18 this year.
Minister of Home Affairs (MOHA) Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said the first case occurred on Feb 4, involving the detainment of two Vietnamese fishing boats at 210 nautical miles northwest of Mukah.
Meanwhile, the second case happened on Feb 9, when the OPV1 arrested an Indonesian fishing boat 97 nautical miles north of Tanjung Po.
“Therefore, MMEA has managed to save the nation’s maritime resources from being stolen by foreign fishermen estimated to be worth more than RM3 million,” he told reporters after the name-giving ceremony of KM Tun Fatimah held at Kuching Port Authority Jetty here today.
Following the successful record, Saifuddin believes placing the vessel in Kuching to patrol Sarawak waters was the right choice.
The KM Tun Fatimah conducted its maiden official patrol in Sarawak waters on Jan 18 this year.
Its main objective is to strengthen the security of national waters, especially in curbing the invasion of foreign vessels.
It is 84 meters long and is currently the biggest asset of MMEA.
Also present were MOHA secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi, MMEA director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Hamid Mohd Amin and MMEA Sarawak director Maritime First Admiral Zin Azman MD Yunus. — DayakDaily
