Migrant Smuggling Activities Using Local Fishermen As Eyes And Ears

---

 
Perak MMEA director, Captain Shahrizal Raman. -NSTP/SHARUL HAFIZ ZAMLUMUT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has identified the involvement of local fishermen in migrant smuggling activities, masterminded by Indonesians.
Perak MMEA director, Captain Shahrizal Raman said the Indonesian tekong (boat captain) would work with the local fishermen in handling these illegal immigrants to enter and exit the country via the country's waters.
Shahrizal said that the agency found out that local fishermen in Pulau Jarak and the nearby Malaysia-Indonesia waters have become the "eyes and ears" in this illegal activity.
"Based on intelligence, we found that there are between five and seven illegal immigrants entering the country at a time.
MMEA personnel on board Perkasa 1223 boat, making its round in the waters of Lumut. -NSTP/SHARUL HAFIZ ZAM
"However with the enforcement of the National Task Force (NTF) and Ops Benteng Laut, this activity has declined following the control of the country's water borders as well as the presence of new patrol assets," he said after conducting patrols of the Perak waters, here, yesterday.
Shahrizan said that the two new assets were the Benteng 6 and Perkasa 1223 boats received December last year and early this year, respectively.
"To date, in total, the Perak MMEA has 13 assets which include six boats in the Kuala Kurau Maritime Zone," he said.
"These boats are important assets since there have been incidents involving (encroachment) of Indonesian fishing boats and the interference of foreign enforcement at the state's water borders," he said.
He added the addition of the two boats further enhances the highest level of alertness of the agency in controlling the country's waters and to curb cross-border criminal activities. - NST

---