RAKAM Is Best Communication Network For Maritime Community And Enforcement Agencies

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 29 (Bernama) -- The Maritime Community Friendly Interaction Programme (RAKAM) is the best communication and discussion network between the maritime community and enforcement agencies.

Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Region 2 commander, Rear Admiral Datuk Khairul Anuar Yahya said via RAKAM, enforcement agencies including the RMN, marine police, Fisheries Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the maritime community could conduct discussions to solve problems in the community.

MMEA ups security with armed forces on vessels

Pic: The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has upped the ante in the battle against any future hijackings at sea by placing armed personnel on vessels. 

Its director-general, Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, said the placement of armed officers on vessels is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on whether the ships could be a “possible target” for hijackers.

135 cartons of fags seized by PASKAL

Tawau: The PASKAL Navy team in Semporna seized a total of 135 cartons of white cigarette of Astro branded worth about RM6,075.00 from two Suluk-Filipino men at Gaya island, off Semporna, at about 10.15pm, Saturday.

District Maritime Enforcement Chief, Captain Anor Jaafar said the case was handed over to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here for further action.

He said a total of 32 empty gallons were also seized from the suspects, aged 20 and 35. Both were also found to have no identification documents.

Missing MV Sah Lian found, crew safe

KUALA LUMPUR: The MV Sah Lian, which had been reported missing in the South China Sea since Sept 7, has been found.

Sarawak Region enforcement chief Maritime First Admiral Ismaili Bujang Pit said, the cargo ship was located at around 4pm Thursday approximately 30 nautical miles from Miri.

Malaysian Hijacked Oil Tanker Rescued, Pirates Flee

Kuala Lumpur, 19 June 2015 -- Pirates who hijacked a Malaysian oil tanker last week have fled on the ship's lifeboat after being pursued by a Malaysian navy ship, officials said Friday.

Navy chief Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the eight pirates, believed to be Indonesians, abandoned the MT Orkim Harmony late Thursday. All 22 crew members were safe, except for an Indonesian cook who was shot in the thigh, Abdul Aziz tweeted.

He said three navy ships and two helicopters are searching for the pirates. The ship is sailing back to Malaysia's northern Kuantan port, escorted by a naval ship, he said.

The tanker, carrying 7.5 million liters (2 million gallons) of gasoline worth 21 million ringgit ($5.7 million), was headed to Kuantan when communications were lost June 11. The crew consisted of 16 Malaysians, five Indonesians and a Myanmar national.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said earlier that the ship was detected in waters off southern Vietnam late Wednesday and had been repainted black from blue. Abdul Aziz also tweeted pictures of the tanker, showing some letters of the name of the ship painted over to give it a new name, "Kim Harmon."

He said the eight pirates were armed with pistols and machetes, and spoke with Indonesian accents.

The maritime agency said the hijacking was believed to be the work of a syndicate targeting vessels for their cargos of fuel. It said this was the fifth theft in waters off southern Malaysia this year.

It was the second tanker hijacked this month. Another Malaysian tanker carrying diesel fuel was hijacked June 4 in the same area and was released after its fuel was siphoned off.

Maritime officials have said it is more difficult to steal gasoline because it is highly flammable and requires special safety equipment.

The International Maritime Bureau says attacks against small tankers off Southeast Asia's coasts have been rising since last year.

Pirates have been particularly active near Indonesia's Bintan island and in the South China Sea, where 11 vessels were hijacked last year, the bureau said. (AP)