KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recovered over RM1.5bil in assets during maritime rescue operations last year, revealed Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In a Facebook post on Friday (Dec 3), he stated that the figure represents 218 maritime incidents involving 1,256 victims.
"A total of 1,168 individuals were successfully rescued, while 62 lives were lost and 26 remain missing," he wrote.
Additionally, the MMEA recorded over RM91mil in seizures from maritime operations conducted during the same period.
Saifuddin noted that the agency also conducted 50,783 inspections, resulting in 1,271 arrests.
The seizures comprise assets confiscated from foreign fishermen (RM85mil), diesel (RM1.3mil), drugs (RM983,500), controlled goods (RM660,401), petrol (RM215,277), ketum (RM129,000), cigarettes (RM16,520), and other items worth over RM2.6mil.
"The MMEA remains the primary shield in safeguarding the nation’s maritime security and sovereignty.
"The government is committed to strengthening border security efforts to uphold national sovereignty and ensure the well-being of all citizens," he said. - Bernama
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