SUBANG, Aug 13 — The sovereignty of the country’s 556,285 square kilometres (km) of waters is now strengthened with the receipt of the first of four units of the Medium Lift AW189 helicopter acquired for the use of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the helicopter will enhance the Malaysian Maritime’s capabilities in carrying out aerial surveillance, enforcement, search and rescue (SAR) operations, medical evacuation (medevac) and special operations.
He said the acquisition of the sophisticated asset is very important in facing the increasingly complex maritime security landscape, including the threat of cross-border crime, encroachment on fisheries resources and smuggling.
“Our maritime zone is very vast, so it is very important for the government to show a strong commitment to support enforcement agencies such as the MMEA,” he said at a press conference after the Malaysian Maritime AW189 Helicopter Reception Ceremony at the Subang Maritime Air Station here, today.
Also present were the Home Ministry secretary-general, Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman, and MMEA director-general, Admiral Maritime Datuk Rosli Abdullah.
The procurement of four helicopter units worth RM529 million was approved through the Fourth Rolling Plan, Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP) with a five-year contract with the manufacturer, Leonardo.
The AW189 helicopter is capable of operating with a range of up to 1,166 km and a maximum speed of 313 km per hour and in various weather conditions and can carry five crew members and 14 passengers for rapid response in the waters.
Saifuddin Nasution said the company had completed the project on schedule and the remaining three AW189 helicopter units were expected to arrive in the country by the end of December.
“Apart from asset empowerment, focus is now also being given to developing personnel capacity to ensure they are skilled in operating the new aircraft’s sophisticated technology,” he said.
With the addition of the asset, MMEA’s air force will increase from the current six helicopters to nine units by the end of the year, thus strengthening the agency’s excellent record in guarding the country’s waters.
As of July 24, MMEA had carried out more than 116,192 inspections with a seizure value of more than RM4.38 billion, while SAR operations successfully rescued 638 victims in 129 cases.
Meanwhile, he said the government expected to receive another strategic asset, namely a mothership, in the first quarter of next year to further strengthen operations in the deep sea.
