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KUCHING, July 17: Sarawak Coast Guard (SCG) will receive an additional three island-class patrol vessels as part of the effort to safeguard the State’s interests.
According to a news report from Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) Datu Buckland Bangik said SCG which is under Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) plays an important role in safeguarding Sarawak’s waters including areas of importance to the oil and gas industry.
“In the context of Sarawak, especially in Miri and Bintulu, there are many activities being carried out in coastal areas related to the oil and gas industry and we need to ensure that this industry is carried out in safe conditions,” he said.
Buckland said this when representing Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki during the handover ceremony for a patrol boat at UKPS headquarters in Miri today.
He added that UKPS will also work together with all relevant agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and Civil Defense Force (APM) to ensure that Sarawak’s coastal areas are safe for investment activities.
UKPS now owns a total of six island-class patrol vessels of which the first three vessels were handed over on Nov 18, 2022 in Kuching.
Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak has been appointed as the implementing agency for the construction of all the 25-metre-long vessels while Slipways Sdn Bhd was appointed as the contractor involved with a total contract worth RM73.243 million in April 2021 after an open tender process was held from December 2020 to February 2021.
The six vessels will be launched together with the inauguration of UKPS Miri Headquarters by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on July 18. — DayakDaily
