PORT KLANG: The Home Ministry will ensure that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) acquires new vessels to replace the agency's ships which are over 30 years old.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said for this purpose, his ministry would ensure companies tasked with supplying the ships to MMEA will do so as soon as possible.
"As part of its planning, the Home Ministry has ensured that all necessary assets can be obtained as soon as possible because it would help in terms of keeping the country safe from the intrusion by those committing an organised crime.
"Even though we have awarded the contract to a company, it (the vessels) should have been obtained in the last two years but it is already late because there was no capability by the company to which the contract was awarded.
"Otherwise, we (already would) have three new ships but due to their delays, they (the delivery's) are disrupted.
"However, we urge for these ships to be made ready soon, at least one ship can be delivered this year, next year can be one and so on," he said.
He said this in a press conference at the MMEA's 17th Anniversary Celebration (HUT17 APMM) on KM Arau some 30 nautical miles from the National Hydrographic Centre, here today.
Also present was Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubli Mat Som.
Hamzah said during the show held in conjunction with the MMEA's HUT17 celebration he found that most of the ships on display were quite old and needed to be replaced.
"Most of the ships are 30 years old and above, some are over 40 years old, in terms of our arrangements ... it (MMEA) needs new ships, Insya Allah.
"Among them, KM Amanah which is over 40 years old and is currently stationed in Kelantan waters.
"KM Langkawi is over 30 years old, is now stationed in Pahang waters and KM Siangin which is over 30 years old and is stationed in Kedah and Perlis waters," he said.
Apart from ships, Hamzah said his ministry is also looking at adding three helicopters for MMEA's use.
"We are also studying ... we suggest the need for three more helicopters because the helicopters we have now can only operate for up to four hours.
"Four hours (of operation) with the helicopters we have is not enough, that's why we have to add (helicopters)," he said.
Commenting on the MMEA's HUT17 celebration, he said MMEA's commitment was not only to safeguard the coast but also national security and the ships utilised by the agency were also proven to help protect and defend the country.