KUCHING, Jan 18: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV1) conducts its maiden official patrol in Sarawak waters today.
According to a news report from TV Sarawak (TVS), Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi said OPV1, a locally made patrol vessel will strengthen the security of the MME, particularly around the South China Sea since the waters are highly concentrated with economic activity and the passage of merchant ships that connect the southern and northern part of the sea.
Ruji said he is optimistic that the presence of the OPV1 in national waters will meet the goal of the MMEA operation to curb the invasion of foreign vessels through prevention.
He added that OPV1 will be the mother ship for MMEA patrol boats that will carry out enforcement patrols in areas where foreign fishermen frequently intrude illegal to carry out fishing activities.
He told this to reporters when met after visiting and inspecting the operation of the vessel here today.
Ruji said OPV1 presence is also to reduce the risk of petroleum companies being the target of piracy activities as the vessel can operate at sea for a period of 21 days without resupply.
In addition to the OPV1, MMEA is also in the process to acquire 10 other maritime strategic assets as announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the presentation of the 2024 Budget last year. — DayakDaily
