Two Injured As MMEA Patrol Boat Rammed By Smuggler's Speedboat

SEREMBAN, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Two personnel of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for Melaka and Negeri Sembilan were injured after a patrol boat was rammed by a speedboat suspected of smuggling illegal immigrants near the state maritime borders last night.

Its director Maritime Captain Salehuddin Zakaria said during the 9pm confrontation, a 34-year-old member suffered injuries to the upper part of his nose while another 36-year-old crew was injured in his legs and arms due to the impact.

He said they were sent to the Port Dickson Hospital for treatment and are reported to be stable.

“The Lumut Maritime Surveillance System detected a suspicious boat at 8 pm in the Traffic Separation Scheme area heading towards the waters of Tanjung Rhu in Sepang and a MMEA patrol boat carrying out duties under Ops Patkor Optima was directed to intercept the rogue speedboat.

“However, aware of the presence of enforcement assets, the speedboat equipped with three high-powered engines acted aggressively when chased and rammed the left side of the patrol boat, causing severe damage before escaping,” he said in a statement here today.

He said the boat was believed to have turned back out of Malaysian waters after their failed mission and that detection and special actions are now underway to track down the suspects and the smuggling network involved.

Salehuddin said the MMEA views human smuggling attempts via sea routes seriously because they not only threaten national security but also endanger the lives of illegal immigrants and enforcement personnel.

“This incident again demonstrates that MMEA enforcement officers face high stakes as we constantly encounter direct threats at sea, including being rammed, and the possibility of losing life and limb while carrying out our national duty," he said.

He urged the public who have information about clandestine activities to immediately report it to the Melaka and Negeri Sembilan Maritime Operations Centre at 06-3876730 or the emergency line 999 for further action.

-- BERNAMA