KOTA KINABALU: Multi-agency joint operations are needed along Sabah's waters to prevent illegal fishing and smuggling, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister said Sabah also wanted security agencies to step up operations to deal with foreign fishing vessels encroaching in Malaysia's Maritime Economic Zone.
Hajiji pointed out Sabah has a long coastline from the east to the west coast, which borders various countries.
He said it was a challenge for the security forces to keep a check on cross-border criminal activities including the smuggling of drugs, cigarettes and subsidised goods.
"They also have to tackle the issue of the foreign fishermen intruding into Malaysian waters," he said when launching Exercise Maritime Perkasa Timur 2/2023 by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) at Sabah Port in Sepanggar here Monday (Oct 30).
However, Hajiji was confident that such activities could be eliminated if joint operations were carried out by the various security agencies including MMEA, armed forces and the police.
"I hope the integrated training in joint operations between the various enforcement agencies are held often as part of efforts to deal with various criminal activities whether on land or sea in this state.
"We have to protect and defend the interests of the Malaysian Maritime Zone at all times, I hope through the exercises carried out, it will be able to further improve efficiency to secure the country's waters, especially in Sabah," he said.
He said MMEA and other agencies played an important role in preserving the security of the country's sovereignty.
The Perkasa Timur Maritime Exercise from Oct 28 to Nov 4 was part of efforts to test the readiness and capability of various Malaysian Maritime assets and also help in demonstrating security presence in the South China Sea.
Hajiji, who is state security council chairman, said the exercise is also based on elements of defence especially in tackling violations at sea and showing the presence of the maritime assets in the Malaysian Maritime Economic Zone.
This exercise is being carried out covering the waters off Kota Kinabalu in Sabah to Beting Patinggi Ali, Hampasan Dang Ajar and Beting Raja Jarum to Kuching in Sarawak waters.
