The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detected increased smuggling activities involving controlled goods during Ramadan and in the lead-up to Aidilfitri.
Sandakan Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Captain Muhamad Suhairy Hussain, said these activities persist due to supply and demand among interested parties.
"Among the commonly smuggled goods are rice, cooking oil, sugar, and subsidised items such as petrol and diesel. These smuggling operations typically take place at dusk and during the night, using private boats, fishing vessels, and even tankers," he told Bernama.
In response, MMEA has stepped up surveillance efforts by deploying two ships and four boats for daily patrols to curb smuggling in waters off Sandakan.
Muhamad Suhairy added that, in addition to strategic collaborations with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), the maritime community—especially fishermen—plays a crucial role as the agency’s eyes and ears, reporting suspicious activities along ESSCOM’s 1,400-kilometre stretch of waters from Kudat to Tawau.
Last year, the Sandakan Maritime Zone recorded a total seizure value of RM90.32 million related to various smuggling offences, he said.