ASEAN Synergy Strengthens Maritime Security Along Melaka Straits

By Mohd Fakri Awang Lah

ALOR GAJAH, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Close partnerships between ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, form a synergy that strengthens maritime security along the strategic Melaka Straits.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), specifically in Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, take on the great challenge of monitoring the tight waterway that spans 15 nautical miles ((27.28 kilometres) from Kuala Linggi to Pulau Rupat, Indonesia.

Such a distance can be covered easily by high speed boats, which makes cross-border smuggling a reality in just 30 minutes, a fact that many criminal syndicates try their best to exploit.

Yet, ASEAN’s capabilities as a regional bloc in tackling this threat has been proven through the synergy of intelligence and operations between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Quick exchanges of information and coordinated operational actions have helped curb cross-border crime, including the smuggling of contraband, along with intrusion by foreign fishing vessels.

Speaking to Bernama, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan MMEA director, Capt (Maritime) Mohd Khairi Abd Aziz said between 2022 and 2024, 138 arrest cases involving various offences were recorded, with seizures exceeding RM10 million.

"The high profile cases include the seizure of 11 boats used to ferry 121 illegal immigrants from various countries, along with two speedboats with six high powered engines carrying clover cigarettes worth RM2.95 million. We also managed to seize 20 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs,” he said during an interview in conjunction with MMEA’s 20th anniversary today.

Mohd Khairi said that the agency conducts annual operations with Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia (BAKAMLA) through Patrol Terkoordinasi Operasi Tindakan Maritim Malaysia-Indonesia (PATKOR OPTIMA MALINDO), which enters its 31st series this year and is aimed at boosting readiness in facing security threats along maritime borders.

Both countries also cooperate through intelligence information exchanges and joint search and rescue operations (SAR) with Indonesia’s Badan Nasional Pencarian dan Pertolongan (BASARNAS), culminating with the annual Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) Malaysia-Indonesia (MALINDO) to assess the effectiveness of coordination and to strengthen the standard operating procedures of  ASEAN SARs.

Other joint training includes Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (RCC) and Rescue Sub Centre (RSC) in coordinating joint SAR operations, Mohd Khairi said.  

MMEA has stationed six high speed intercepting boats, PENGGALANG, PETIR, PENGAWAL, BENTENG and PERKASA in the area under the jurisdiction of the Melaka and Negeri Sembilan MMEA and monitoring is enhanced by the use of the Malaysian Maritime Sea Surveillance System (SWASLA) stationed at Pulau Undan, which has the capability of tracking as far as 20 to 50 nautical miles.

"Also, drones are used to obtain information from hard to access locations, enable more efficient and accurate actions to tackle maritime threats,” he said.

MMEA celebrates its 20th anniversary today with the theme ‘Dua Dekad Maritim Malaysia, Perisai Samudera Negara’ with the main highlight in Penang, showcasing an assortment of events, including a fleet review, a maritime carnival, parades, rescue demonstrations and a career exhibition.

-- BERNAMA