MMEA adds nine high-tech 'Thunder Boats'

Posted on: 3rd May, 2014

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will receive nine advanced technology new boats ‘Thunder Boats’ to further strengthen its defense assets, especially within Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).

MMEA deputy director-general (operations) Maritime Admiral Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab. Kahar (pictured) said the additional assets were important in monitoring the waters bordering the southern Philippines, for the purpose of investigation and operations.

“The additional assets will help MMEA to step up patrol duty effectively and enable MMEA to react faster to complaints or information on criminal activities. The boats will be undergoing safety test,” he told reporters here yesterday.

He said the boats, with rescue and interception capacity, were capable of intercepting any threat of intrusion with a speed of 65 knots.

“In addition, this boat is able to conduct patrols in three to four hours for a distance of 74.08km (40 nautical miles),” he said.

Ahmad Puzi said MMEA was also expanding its radar control system for detection of any intrusions, especially by small boats.

“However we still need the close cooperation of villagers especially those living in the coastal areas to channel information to the local authority should they come across any elements of intrusion in their surroundings,” he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Puzi said the agency was planning to build a Malaysian Maritime Air Base in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.

“If this materialises, we will station two aircraft and six AW139 helicopters at the base. The base is to further enhance the operations of MMEA,” he said.

He said the total strength would also be increased to more than 1,000 by the year end, in addition to the current number of about 800 officers in Sabah.

Zahid: Attack helicopters to boost strike capabilities of security forces in Sabah's east coast


KOTA KINABALU: The Government is set to acquire attack helicopters to strengthen the strike capabilities of security forces under the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in disclosing this, said that they were looking at either the Eurocopter Tigre or Apache Longbow helicopter to be based under Esszone in efforts to counter cross-border criminals.

However, he did not disclose the numbers of helicopters to be deployed in the area after a series of security measures were being implemented following the latest kidnapping of Chinese national Yang Zai Lin, 34, from a fish farm in Lahad Datu.

It is understood that the attack helicopters would have been more efficient in cutting off the pirate group taking Yang and from crossing the border, after where Malaysian police exchanged fire with the gunmen, who managed to slip into Philippine waters.

Zahid, who was with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim to meet Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to discuss security measures here, said the immediate measures included the deployment of more assets and manpower for Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).

He said that the existing laws under the Police Act, Public Order and Preservation Ordinance and Public Security Ordinance would be enforced in the Esszone area in the measures taken to strengthen security in Sabah's east coast.

"The powers of execution would be given first to the police, the Chief Minister and the Home Minister to allow for immediate actions in the Esszone," he said, adding that there were five steps, which would be implemented in regards to the nine proposals forwarded by the state to the Federal Government.

He said it includes the immediate registration of all vessels from sampans to ships by the Esscom to differentiate local and foreign boats in the state.

"Seven designated sea routes will also be gazetted for foreign boats and ships wanting to enter Sabah waters," he said, adding that action would be taken against any vessel trying to enter, or exit, outside the designated routes.

Malaysia and the Philippines governments would also be strengthening the high-level committee to ensure that any vessel or movement at sea were closely monitored by the authorities of these two countries, he added.

"We are here to ensure that no one escapes from our (tindakan)," Zahid stressed.

He revealed that more guard posts and observation towers would be constructed as soon as possible.

On the implementation of curfew, which was announced following the kidnapping of Yang on May 6, Musa said it would be put into operation very soon after a thorough discussion with the relevant authorities.

"The curfew would involve all tour operators and fishermen in the east coast including Lahad Datu and Sandakan," he said, adding, that they were still identifying the high-risk areas for the implementation of curfew to restrict movement during certain times.

Musa explained that when a curfew had been implemented, all vessels were not allowed to enter or exit the affected areas at certain times during the day.

"We have proposed nine steps which have been forwarded to the federal government and the meeting here today (Thursday) was to talk about whatever best steps to ensure the safety of the people as well as the tourists in Sabah, especially in the east coast," he said.

"We will not compromise in terms of safety and will do all we can to ensure the safety of people and our sea borders," he said.

He urged the people to continue supporting and trusting the Malaysian security forces and hoped that the measures drawn up would help restore peace in Sabah.

Among those at the meeting held at Seri Gaya here were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, National Security Council (NSC) Datuk Mohamad Thajudeen Wahab, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib, Esscom director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek.


Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014...ne-helicopters/

Beefing up security in Sabah


KOTA KINABALU: More assets will be deployed in Sabah to boost land, sea and air security and plug weaknesses which led to people being kidnapped and intrusions to easily occur in the state.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the assets, including deployment of attack helicopters, fast boats and security personnel in high risk areas, were expected to arrive in Sabah soon.

"More (assets) are coming and even now it is starting to come in," he said after a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman who is also Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESScom) chairman here yesterday.

On whether the helicopters would include Apache Longbow or Eurocopter Tiger, Musa said these are being considered.

Zahid said other measures to be taken to boost security included registering local boats and ships to differentiate Malaysian and foreign vessels, where our vessels will have special codes and numbering.

The meeting at Musa's official residence Seri Gaya was held to discuss security issues, especially following the latest abduction at Pulau Baik, Lahad Datu.

It was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, National Security Council secretary Datuk Mohd Tajuddin Abdul Wahab, Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib and Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

Musa said the discussion covered issues concerning security operations, assets and manpower and strengthening of coordination.

He said the federal government has taken the issue seriously by ordering Zahid and Shahidan to come here and assist in the security concerns.

"I would like to stress that we will take all actions to secure the safety of the people and tourists in Sabah, especially in the east coast.

"We will not compromise on security issues and we will continue to coordinate efforts to mantain the sovereignity of our waters," he said.

On 'curfew areas' to be introduced at high-risk areas in the east coast, Musa said it will be done soon where no entry would be allowed during designated time or periods.

He said the move would also cover fishermen as well as resort operators.

Meanwhile, Sabah police have identified sea routes used by gunmen who kidnapped the fish farm manager Yang, who is from Guangzhou.

State police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said police more or less knew the abductors' travel pattern.

He pointed that there were quite a number of uninhabited islands along the way between Pulau Baik off Silam, Lahad Datu, and Mataking waters off Semporna.

"We are trying to establish whether the suspects had made a stopover at one of the islands."

Touching on the same issue, Zahid said authorities were also looking into the possibility that the abduction was carried out by militant leader Nur Misuari’s group.

He said the authorities were working closely with the Philippines intelligence on the matter.

"We have an exchange of intelligence information programme. Our Special Branch are also working very closely with their counterpart in Manila to study all possibilities including personalities who may be involved in this kidnapping,” he said when asked if the Former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari was linked to the kidnappings here recently.

It was reported five gunmen abducted Chinese national Yang Zai Lin, 34, from a fish farm on Pulau Baik about 2.45am on Tuesday.

They escaped into the southern Philippines after a clash with security forces at Mataking waters off Semporna.

The abduction came 28 hours after four gunmen robbed fishermen at Tanjung Labian waters off Lahad Datu. Sabah police are investigating whether the two incidents were done by the same group.

Last month, seven gunmen kidnapped a Chinese tourist and a Filipino worker from Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort near Semporna. Efforts to rescue them are still ongoing.

Zahid said Malaysia and Philippines governments have agreed to do follow up actions to strengthen the high-level committee (HLC) between both nations.