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2nd September, 2010
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is still waiting for an approval from the state government to build its first air base in Sabah. An area has already been identified at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, said MMEA enforcement chief for Sabah and Sarawak, First Admiral Mohd Taha Ibrahim.
He was speaking to reporters after distributing Raya goodies to district maritime chiefs and commanding officers at Wisma Dixon here yesterday.
He said the Sabah air base would make safeguarding the country’s territorial waters and search and rescue (SAR) operation more efficient.
Officers have already been sent for flight training under the supervision of private instructors and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The first AW319 helicopter manufactured in Italy will be delivered to MMEA in Sabah next month.
Meanwhile, Mohd Taha said the district MMEA headquarters in Sandakan is under construction at a cost of RM40 million and is expected to be completed in 2012.
“We hope the government will allocate for MMEA headquarters in the other districts and jetty in Sepanggar,” he said.
On operations against maritime offences, the MMEA detained some 220 people for the first seven months this year in the west and east coasts. This year, they arrested 23 more people compared to 182 arrests for the whole of last year.
Majority of the offences were for violating regulations under the Immigration, Fisheries and Customs Acts as well as the Merchant Shipping Ordinance. The agency has also identified key landing points for smugglers in Kuala Penyu, Menumbok, Sipitang and Lawas.
There will be 150 men from the MMEA in these hot spots over the Hari Raya holidays. Mohd Taha also advised people not to board boats that do not normally ferry passengers. Last year, more than 20 people died in a boat tragedy in Kudat during Hari Raya.
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