Maritime Industry
LANGKAWI: Enforcing the various maritime laws in Malaysia is a fragmented affair, cutting across more than 10 ministries and 31 maritime-related agencies, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said the government recognises the need for an ocean governance regime for Malaysia, with an overarching policy encompassing all maritime aspects from security to safety, to economy and the environment.
If Malaysia continued to manage its seas in fragments, he said, the overlapping of jurisdictions and conflicts of interests between the sectors will never be resolved.
"Malaysia is indeed blessed with all the attributes of a maritime nation. Our strategic location positions us at the focal point on the map of maritime trade where 90 per cent of trade is via shipping. We have beautiful coastlines and islands and they bring millions of tourists to our shores.
"Our seas are home to bountiful natural resources that provide livelihood to fishermen while big players in the fishing and aquaculture industries have been making handsome economic gains. Our ocean is also host to thriving oil and gas explorations and industries.
"And there are still numerous natural resources, seabed minerals which have yet to be explored. They, too, promise our nation wealthy returns.
"Malaysia’s dependency on the ocean can never be understated and it is naturally so, given that it is surrounded by seas and its maritime space is virtually two times bigger than our land area. This dependency extends to almost all sectors particularly in food, trade, energy, transportation, tourism and security.
"With such a vast sea area, which offers a diverse range of living and non-living resources, and being strategically located at the centre of important shipping lanes, the waters surrounding us carry tremendous environmental, socio-economic and strategic value to the nation," he said.
Dr Mahathir said this in his keynote address when launching the National Maritime Conference (NMC) being held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (Lima) 2019. The theme of the conference is "Malaysia a Maritime Nation: Charting the Passage".
Dr Mahathir said the maritime sector was a crucial contributor to the country’s socio-economic wealth and security and this would become even more significant as Malaysia aspires to become a fully developed nation.
However, he warned that a balanced, strategic and proper exploitation of the relevant maritime resources must be conducted and managed in a sustainable manner.
"In our race to become a developed nation, our readily available natural resources must be consolidated and optimised. As demanded by the principle of Sustainable Development which we subscribe to, there shouldn’t be any unscrupulous exploitation of the country's marine natural resources for the sake of economic growth per se,” he said.
He added that the guiding principle of sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
“Thus, when it comes to exploiting and optimising the use of our seas and marine resources, we must always pay very serious consideration on the conservation aspects of our marine environment.
"Unfortunately, apart from having to balance economic development and conservation of our marine environment, our marine ecosystem and biodiversity are also being threatened by other factors like climate change and global warming, apart from food, water and energy security issues.
"Therefore, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the government is keen on the principles of the Blue Economy, where sustainable economic growth should always be in line with maintaining the ocean’s health," said Dr Mahathir.
To overcome threats to the nation's maritime resources and security, Dr Mahathir said a well-coordinated effort cutting across all government sectors was needed.
"Enforcement activities can only be effective when there is sound Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability. Several agencies have in fact been equipped with a range of ISR capabilities, which should be shared through proper coordination with other enforcement agencies to further strengthen enforcement at sea.
"Since the present government took office in May last year, it has been our priority to enhance integrity, and minimise leakage and wastage. The government coffers had been drained excessively, leaving the country in huge debts.
"The global economic downturn has only made it worse, making wise and prudent spending the only option. Government expenses must be cut down in order to survive and reduce our debts. We will, without doubt, be prudent in spending, especially on new assets and capabilities.
"It is high time for all maritime-related agencies to collaborate and consolidate necessary work processes. This effort can be achieved through greater understanding, trust and open communication.
"Overlapping jurisdictions must be immediately addressed to overcome wastage of government resources. Coordinated and integrated approach should be the answer to strengthen maritime enforcement."
MMEA's role in coordinating air surveillance can boost security of Malaysian waters
KUANTAN: The appointment of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) as the leading agency for coordination of air surveillance activities over the country's waters would boost safeguarding of the east coast waters from foreign fishermen.
MMEA Eastern Region commander Zulkarnain Mohd Omar said that deployment of air assets for aerial surveillance would strengthen existing patrols with sea vessels, which take more time to cover large areas of water.
We would not only be able to deploy aircraft to the sea (areas in the east coast) for more rapid enforcement action but also for search and rescue (SAR) operations there.
"Enforcement action against fishing boats from Vietnam (conducting illegal fishing in the waters off Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang) would be more effective due to the availability of air assets.
"Due to the large areas of water (in the east coast), patrols with ships would require more time to cover the areas.
"With aircraft, patrols can cover hundreds of kilometres of area quicker and faster," he said, adding that MMEA's new role would beef up joint cooperation between related agencies like the Fisheries Department, among others.
Zulkarnain said the agency's patrol aircraft would fly from its airbase in Subang and head to the east coast waters.
"It is vital to maintain the security and sovereignty of the east coast areas from encroachment, especially from foreign fishermen that time and again were caught in these waters.
"Enforcement action against them would be made easier with air surveillance," he said.
He said the need for more effective coordinated air surveillance in lieu of constant encroachment incidents such as seen in the detention of two Vietnamese fishing vessels, that were using trawling nets, in waters off Nenasi, Pekan, on Nov 21.
On that day at 10.25am, a patrol team from the Pahang Fisheries Department's Resources Protection Unit nabbed the two boats, with their crew of 22 Vietnamese nationals, at 29 nautical miles from Sungai Miang, Pekan.
Yesterday after chairing the High Level Committee (HLC) meeting on the use of government air assets, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said MMEA's appointment was based on its responsibilities under the MMEA Act 2004.
He said that there was a need to coordinate related enforcement agencies to ensure the effectiveness of airspace surveillance in the country's waters.
MMEA's first ship woman commanding officer
KUANTAN: Maritime Lieutenant Aida Arzahari created history today when she was appointed as the first women to command a Malaysian Martime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) ship.
The 35-year-old was appointed as MMEA’s KM Nyalau’s Commanding Officer and will be based in Lumut, Perak.
Dedicating her success to her mother Hamiah Zain, 57, the eldest of three siblings said she continued her father's legacy in serving with the Malaysian security forces.
My father was a personnel with the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and I was quite close with him. As the eldest my mother wanted me to follow in my late father’s footsteps.
“I had dreamt of being called a commanding officer, but never expected it to happen so fast,” she said.
She was speaking to reporters after receiving her letter of appointment from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim at the 13th Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's, Enforcement Day and Passing Out Parade at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy (AMSAS), here today.
Aida adds that her success was also backed by the constant support she received from her mother who had encouraged to join MMEA.
“My mother was the one who challenged me to join MMEA and wanted me to do my best,” she said.
The Perlis born lass said the advice of her late father Arzahari Sudin to take care of the family was also her driving force, when she was on the verge of giving up during training.
“I recalled my mother’s challenge and the advice from my late father, whenever I wanted to give up during training, “she said.
Her father died from a heart attack at the age of 49 on Jan 13, 2007
The accountancy graduate from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) had previously worked in a ship building firm.
“I would like to record my appreciation to my five senior officers who had faith in my ability and encouraged me to be successful,” she added.
Aida joined MMEA on April 23, 2012 and had previously served in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
“I hope my success will inspire other women to come to the forefront and achieve success even in a field dominated by men.
“Show that women also have the ability safeguard the country’s peace
Meanwhile, Hamiah said Aida had inherited her late husband’s personal trait including his strictness, responsibility and ensuring all tasks are implemented properly.
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