MMEA Launches Op Tanjung 2 Series 1/2026 To Strengthen Maritime Security

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) today launched Op Tanjung 2 Series 1/2026 to strengthen maritime security and safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.

MMEA acting deputy director-general (Operations) Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah said the special operation aims to curb encroachment by foreign fishing vessels and prevent interference from external forces, particularly in the northern Straits of Melaka.

“To ensure the effectiveness of the operation, 14 ships and 29 boats from the Penang MMEA and several other states are being deployed in phases to maintain a continuous enforcement presence in the operational areas.

“This approach is important to ensure continuous patrols, maintain a visible presence of assets at sea, and enable a rapid response to any maritime security threat,” he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of Op Tanjung 2 Series 1/2026 here.

He also expressed his appreciation to all MMEA personnel directly involved in the Op Tanjung special operation since its launch on Feb 1, 2021, while also acknowledging the crucial role of the Penang State Maritime Operation Command Centre (MOCC) as the operation’s main coordination centre.

Meanwhile, Mohd Zawawi said that operations under Op Tanjung Bil. 1/2021 are still being conducted in the northern Straits of Melaka as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the country’s maritime interests and sovereignty, as well as to prevent encroachment.

He said that apart from sea patrols, the operations are also supported by regular aerial monitoring using MMEA aircraft to enhance early detection, monitor foreign fishing vessel movements, and comprehensively strengthen enforcement actions.

--BERNAMA