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Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

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Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia
اڬينسي ڤڠواتكواس ماريتيم مليسيا‎
Malaysia Coast Guard racing stripe
Malaysia Coast Guard racing stripe
Malaysia Coast Guard logo
Malaysia Coast Guard logo
Malaysia Coast Guard ensign
Malaysia Coast Guard ensign
Common nameMalaysia Coast Guard
AbbreviationMMEA / APMM
Motto"Mengawal, Melindung, Menyelamat"
"Guard, Protect, Save"
Agency overview
Formed15 February 2005 (2005-02-15)
Employees4,500 personnel[1]
Legal personalityGovernmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
National agency
(Operations jurisdiction)		Malaysia
Operations jurisdictionMalaysia
Legal jurisdictionMalaysian Maritime Zone
Governing bodyGovernment of Malaysia
Constituting instrument
  • Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Act 2004 (Act 633)
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Coastal patrol, marine border protection, marine search and rescue.
Operational structure
HeadquartersFederal Government Administrative Centre Putrajaya
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Parent agencyMinistry of Home Affairs
Facilities
Patrol vessels74
Patrol boats/Auxiliarys257
Helicopters
Amphibious aircraftBombardier 415
UAVs
Website
www.mmea.gov.my

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Abbr.; MMEA; Malay: Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia – APMM; Jawi: اڬينسي ڤڠواتكواس ماريتيم مليسيا‎); formally known as Malaysia Coast Guard for international identification,[3] is the coast guard organisation of Malaysia, and principal government agency tasked with maintaining law and order, and coordinating search and rescue operations in the Malaysian Maritime Zone and on the high seas.

The Agency and its members are part of the Malaysian Federal Civil Agency and report directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The MMEA however, can be integrated under Malaysian Armed Forces command during an emergency, special crisis, or wartime.[4]

The agency maintains close ties with the United States Coast Guard (USCG)[5] and Japan Coast Guard (JCG).[6][7]

History

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Members of MMEA during training.

The history of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) began with the report on the 'Feasibility Study on the Establishment of Malaysian Coastguard' conducted by National Security Council, Prime Minister's Department on 21 April 1999.[8]

The findings of the report agreed to by the Cabinet of Malaysia and on 16 April 2003, a Nucleus Team led by Datuk Abu Talib Haji Harun, was created with the objective of organising the creation of the Agency. The Agency was formally established with the enactment of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Act 2004 (Act 633) by the Malaysian Parliament in May 2004. Subsequently, the Act received the Royal Assent from the Yang Di Pertuan Agong on 25 June 2004 and was gazetted on 1 July of the same year. On 15 February 2005, the Act came into force.

The Agency was introduced to the public on 10 October 2005 by then Deputy Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Razak and achieved operational status on 30 November 2005 with the commencement of patrols by MMEA vessels.[8]

On 21 March 2006, MMEA is officially launched as a part of a Malaysian government agency by the Deputy Prime Minister.[8]

Rebrand as Malaysia Coast Guard

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On 28 April 2017, the MMEA is formally rebranded to the 'Malaysia Coast Guard' for international identification.[3] New vessels being delivered to the service, including the New Generation Patrol Craft (NGPC) will feature this new name on their respective liveries. However the name 'Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency' will be retained in the meantime for working purposes.[3]

Reassigned to the Ministry of Home Affairs

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In May 2018, under the Malaysian new government, MMEA was planned to be consolidated to the Ministry of Home Affairs.[9] In November 2018, under Malaysia's Budget 2019, the decision was finalised.[10]

Function and responsibility

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MMEA elite force Special Task And Rescue (STAR) conducting demonstration.
  1. Enforce law and order under any federal law in the Malaysian Maritime Zone
  2. Performing maritime search and rescue tasks in the Malaysian Maritime Zone and in the high seas
  3. Prevent and suppress the commission of offences in the Malaysian Maritime Zone
  4. Providing assistance in any criminal matter at the request of foreign nations as provided under 'Mutual Assistance Act in Criminal Matters 2002' (Act 621)
  5. Conduct air and coast monitoring
  6. Establish and manage maritime institutions for Agency's officer training
  7. To perform any duty to ensure maritime prosperity and security or to do all things incidental thereto
  8. At high seas:
    • Perform maritime search and rescue tasks
    • Control and prevent maritime pollution in the high seas
    • Prevent and suppress piracy
    • Prevent and suppress the illegal distribution of narcotic drugs
  9. During a state of emergency, special crisis, or war, this agency or any part of the agency is put under the control of the General Command of the Malaysian Armed Forces

Malaysian maritime zone

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Internal waters and territorial sea

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  • Territorial Sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km) from baseline
  • Sovereignty: part of the territory of Malaysia.
  • Subject to the right of innocent passage for all vessels

Contiguous zone

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  • 24 nautical miles (44 km) from coast.
  • Jurisdiction to prevent or punish infringement of customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws.

Exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

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  • 200 nautical miles (370 km) from coast.
  • Sovereign rights over the management of the resources of the seabed and water column.
  • Jurisdiction in respect of: - construction of artificial islands- marine scientific research - protection and preservation of the marine environment.
  • Subject to the rights of other States including: freedoms of navigation, overflight, and laying of submarine cables.

Continental shelf

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  • 200 nautical miles (370 km) or to the extent of the continental margin.
  • Sovereign rights over the management of the resources of the seabed but not the water column.
  • Jurisdiction in respect of: -construction of artificial islands - drilling on the continental shelf.
  • Subject to the rights of other States including freedoms of navigation, overflight, laying of submarine cables and revenue sharing.

Organisation

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Director General of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

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AS365 Dauphin helicopter of MMEA.

A Director General of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency appointed by the Yang Di Pertuan Agong (King) on the advice of the prime minister under Section 4(1) of the Act is responsible for the operational direction, command, control and supervision of the Agency. Administratively, the Director General reports directly to the Chief Secretary to the Government. By virtue of his office, he is also the head of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Service. The Director General is assisted by three Deputy Directors General, each responsible for Management, Operations and Logistics. The post is an open one enabling any civil, military or police officer to be appointed to the post. For the purposes of discipline, the Director General is considered to be a member of the general public service of the Federation under Section 4(4).

Officers and other ranks

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The officers and other ranks of the MMEA are appointed by the Public Service Commission as Maritime Enforcement Service officers under Section 5(1) of the Act and are considered civil servants under the Malaysian Civil Service. The Agency also consists of officers and staff from various other Services such as the Administrative and Diplomatic Service, Judicial and Legal Service, Information System Service and others. This personnel are primarily involved in matters of administration, finance, procurement, human resource management, legal affairs and prosecution, and information technology.

Ranks

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Ranks for officers and other ranks in the Agency are derived from the Royal Malaysian Navy. Officer and Warrant Officer insignia are similar to that of their naval counterparts. Chevrons are used to denote the ranks of Chief Petty Officer and below.

Rank group General/flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Laksamana Maritim Laksamana madya Maritim Laksamana muda Maritim Laksamana pertama Maritim Kepten Maritim Komander Maritim Leftenan komander Maritim Leftenan Maritim Leftenan madya Maritim Leftenan muda Maritim
Maritime Enforcement Service Grade Premier Grade A Premier Grade B Premier Grade C T24 T22 T20 T18 T16 T14 T13
Equivalent Civil Service Grade Premier Grade A Premier Grade B Premier Grade C Grade 54 Grade 52 Grade 48 Grade 46A Grade 44 Grade 42 Grade 41
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
 No insignia
Pegawai waran I Maritim Pegawai waran II Maritim Bintara Kanan Maritim Bintara Muda Maritim Laskar Kanan Maritim Laskar Kelas I Maritim Laskar Kelas II Maritim Perajurit Muda Maritim
Maritime Enforcement Service Grade T12 T10 T8 T5/T6 T4 T2 T1
Equivalent Civil Service Grade Grade 38 Grade 36 Grade 32 Grade 29/30 Grade 22 Grade 20 Grade 19

Headquarters

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The headquarters of the Agency is situated at One IOI Square, IOI Resort, Putrajaya, close to the federal administrative centre of Malaysia.[11] The Agency HQ was formerly based in Cyberjaya before it shifted to the present address in April 2006.

Academy

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MMEA exercises with US Coast Guard.

The Akademi Maritim Sultan Ahmad Shah (AMSAS) or Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Academy is a coast guard academy. It is located at Gebeng near Kuantan, Pahang.

Operational areas

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The operational area of the Agency is the Malaysian Maritime Zone which is divided into 5 Maritime Regions consisting of 18 Maritime Districts.

West Malaysia Maritime Zone
Region Operational Area Regional Headquarters
Northern Peninsular Maritime Region Langkawi Island-Bernam River Langkawi, Kedah
District Operational Area Headquarters
Maritime District 1 Langkawi Island-Kuala Muda Bukit Malut, Langkawi, Kedah
Maritime District 2 Kuala Muda-Parit Buntar Batu Uban, Penang
Maritime District 3 Parit Buntar-Bernam River Lumut, Perak
Region Operational Area Regional Headquarters
Southern Peninsular Maritime Region Bernam River-Endau Johor Bahru, Johor
District Operational Area Headquarters
Maritime District 4 Bernam River-Sepang Port Klang, Selangor
Maritime District 5 Sepang-Kuala Kesang Kuala Linggi, Malacca
Maritime District 6 Kuala Kesang-Johor Causeway Johor Bahru, Johor
Maritime District 7 Johore Causeway-Endau Tanjung Sedili, Johor
Region Operational Area Regional Headquarters
Eastern Peninsular Maritime Region Endau-Tumpat Kuantan, Pahang
District Operational Area Headquarters
Maritime District 8 Endau-Tanjung Geliga Kuantan, Pahang
Maritime District 9 Tanjung Geliga-Besut Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Maritime District 10 Besut-Tumpat Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan
East Malaysia Maritime Zone
Region Operational Area Regional Headquarters
Sarawak Maritime Region Tanjung Datu-Tanjung Baram Kuching, Sarawak
District Operational Area Headquarters
Maritime District 11 Tanjung Datu-Igan Kuching, Sarawak
Maritime District 12 Igan-Tanjung Payong Bintulu, Sarawak
Maritime District 13 Tanjung Payong-Tanjung Baram Miri, Sarawak
Region Operational Area Regional Headquarters
Sabah Maritime Region Tanjung Baram-Pulau Sebatik Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
District Operational Area Headquarters
Maritime District 14 Tanjung Baram-Kuala Penyu Labuan
Maritime District 15 Kuala Penyu-Kampung Mendawang Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Maritime District 16 Kampung Mendawang-Beluran Kudat, Sabah
Maritime District 17 Beluran-Kunak Sandakan, Sabah
Maritime District 18 Kunak-Pulau Sebatik Tawau, Sabah

Special forces

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Main article: Special Task and Rescue
MMEA elite force Special Task And Rescue (STAR) arms with Heckler & Koch HK416 rifles in the patrol boat during the 65th Merdeka Day in Kuala Lumpur.

The MMEA currently have its own elite special force unit called the STAR (Special Task and Rescue).[12] It is composed of members from the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) PASKAU and Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) PASKAL. Their task is to perform hostage rescue operations in shallow waters that are under MMEA's jurisdiction. They are also tasked to do counter-terrorism missions in Malaysian waters alongside the RMN. The STAR is considerably well trained as its members are taken from RMAF and the RMN special forces units.

On 2 July 2009, the first batch of fresh commando units graduated from Basic Commando Selection alongside the Royal Malaysian Air Force PASKAU. They were given American-styled ACUs (Army Combat Uniform),[13] maya blue PASKAU's berets and also the Malaysian Army zebra woodland camouflage uniform.

List of director-general

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1. Laksamana Maritim Dato’ Mohamad bin Nik (30 November 2005 – 14 March 2008)

2. Laksamana Maritim Datuk Mohd Amdan bin Kurish (5 May 2008 – 9 September 2015[14])

3. Laksamana Maritim Datuk Ahmad Puzi bin Ab Kahar (9 September 2015[15] – 27 May 2017[16])

4. Laksamana Maritim Datuk Zulkifili bin Abu Bakar (1 June 2017[16] – 5 August 2019[17])

5. Laksamana Maritim Datuk Mohd Zubil bin Mat Som (19 August 2019[18] – 19 March 2023[19])

6. Laksamana Maritim Datuk Hamid bin Amin (6 November 2023[20] – 19 April 2024[21])

Equipment

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Main article: List of equipment of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

Present development

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In 2015, Malaysia signed a contract worth RM380 million (US$96.8 million) to order six-ship known as the Bagan Datuk-class patrol vessel.[22] The ship was design based on German-based Fassmer Shipbuilding Company. The first ship is expected to be delivered by December 2016 while the last ship is expected to be delivered by June 2018.[22] The ship will also be equipped with Spanish-Aerovision Fulmar UAVs.[23] In September 2016, the Japanese government through its Prime Minister Shinzō Abe have promise to give Malaysia patrol vessels that will be sent in the first half of 2017 following similar agreements with the Philippines and Vietnam. The military vessels, which previously used by the Japan Coast Guard will be handed over free of charge to Malaysia to counter Chinese military activities in the waters of Malaysia.[24][25] Three new Tun Fatimah-class offshore patrol vessel also ordered by Malaysia in 2017 to boost up patrol capabilities. In February 2020, The Home Ministry has approved the procurement of four helicopters worth RM600 million for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).[26] In December 2023, it is reported that US House of Representative Foreign Affairs Committee agreed to transfers one Reliance-class cutters to MMEA.[27]

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In film

  • Coast Guard The Movie: Operasi Helang or Operation Eagle a 2023 action film starring Saharul Ridzwan, Adlin Aman Ramlie tells the story an officer Special Task and Rescue against a maritime militants in island and save his family.

On television

The MMEA has been featured a few series including:

  • TQ Captain (2018), Hisyam Hamid portrays Lieutenant Adam Alahudin, a commanding officer boat patrol MMEA who aired in Astro Ria.
  • 999 (Malaysian TV series) various case related to MMEA since 2006.
  • Malaysia Hari Ini, TV3.
  • Majalah 3, TV3.
  • Selamat Pagi Malaysia, RTM.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023. London: Taylor & Francis. p. 272. ISBN 978-1000910704.
  2. ^ "Bernama - Hamid Mohd Amin Dilantik Ketua Pengarah APMM Yang Baharu".
  3. ^ a b c Rahmat, Ridzwan (28 April 2017). "MMEA rebrands service as 'Malaysia Coast Guard'". www.janes.com.
  4. ^ "APMM Laporan Tahunan 2014". Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia: 13. 2014.
  5. ^ "Kursus Small Boat Operations Instructor Training Di WILSAR". www.mmea.gov.my. 1 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Maritim Malaysia – Japan Coast Guard: Tingkatkan Kemahiran Penguat Kuasa Dalam Aspek Keselamatan Maritim". mmea.gov.my. 1 February 2016.
  7. ^ "EKSESAIS BERSAMA MARITIM MALAYSIA & JAPAN COAST GUARD (JCG)". mmea.gov.my. 18 July 2014.
  8. ^ a b c "APMM Laporan Tahunan 2014". Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia: 12. 2014.
  9. ^ Gerard Lourdesamy (24 May 2018). "Merging, consolidating and abolishing federal gov't bodies". MalaysiaKini. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  10. ^ Yassin, Muhyiddin (4 November 2018). "Kenyataan Media YB Tan Sri Dato' Hj Muhyiddin Hj Mohd Yassin, Menteri Dalam Negeri - Bajet 2019". Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  11. ^ "APMM Laporan Tahunan 2014". Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia: 84. 2014.
  12. ^ Mahmud, Hairulazim (3 July 2009). "Maritim Malaysia ada komando". kosmo.com.my.
  13. ^ "KENYATAAN SEBUT HARGA" [QUOTATION STATEMENT] (PDF). www.mmea.gov.my (in Burmese). AGENSI PENGUATKUASAAN MARITIM MALAYSIA. JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI [MALAYSIAN MARITIME ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT]. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2018.
  14. ^ Tajuddin, Iskandar (8 September 2015). "MMEA DG hands over duties to deputy | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  15. ^ Bernama (9 September 2015). "Ahmad Puzi new MMEA director-general". www.astroawani.com. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  16. ^ a b Shahar, Fairuz Mohd (2 June 2017). "Zulkifili appointed as new Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency chief | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Zulkifli Abu Bakar to step down as MMEA D-G Aug 5". Malay Mail. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Mohd Zubil Mat Som appointed new MMEA D-G". Malay Mail. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  19. ^ Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (16 March 2023). "Laksamana Maritim Dato' Mohd Zubil Bersara Selepas 42 Tahun Berkhidmat Kepada Negara". Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (in Malay). Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Hamid Amin is MMEA director-general effective Nov 6". The Star. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  21. ^ Bernama (18 April 2024). "MMEA's Hamid Mohd Amin retires after 42 years of service | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  22. ^ a b Ridzwan Rahmat (19 April 2016). "DSA 2016: Destini Shipbuilding reveals design of new MMEA patrol craft". IHS Jane’s 360. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  23. ^ David Ing; Ridzwan Rahmat (21 March 2016). "Malaysia's MMEA to equip new patrol vessels with Thales España's Fulmar UAV". IHS Jane’s 360. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  24. ^ Gaku Shimada (7 September 2016). "Japan to grant patrol boats to Malaysia to counter China". Nikkei Asian Review. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  25. ^ "Japan gives Malaysia two patrol boats". Japan Today. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  26. ^ "MMEA to get four new helicopters | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  27. ^ "One Ex-US Coast Guard Cutter Coming, Part 2". Malaysian Defence. 6 February 2024.
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