Dato Ahmad Nazri Visits Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone, Emphasizes Allocation of Resources and Improved Enforcement Facilities

(Miri, 28th) The Federal Secretary of Sarawak, Dato Ahmad Nadzri bin Mohd Hassan, visited the Miri Maritime Enforcement Agency's complex (Kompleks Zon Maritim Miri) this afternoon for an official visit to understand the maritime enforcement operations in the area.

The event began with Dato Ahmad Nadzri signing the guest book during a reception ceremony, and being accompanied by maritime agency personnel to tour the shipping office, pier, and various patrol ships to gain an in-depth understanding of daily operations and enforcement procedures.

Dato Ahmad Nadzri then boarded the KM Siakap maritime patrol boat to inspect the ship's facilities and equipment and received related briefings. He also took a speedboat ride along the Miri River to personally experience the patrolling environment and enforcement challenges in local waters.

Additionally, Dato Ahmad Nadzri visited the internal facilities of the Miri Maritime Zone complex, including the prayer room (Surau), futsal court, children's playground, and staff dormitories, to fully understand the living environment of maritime enforcement personnel. Accompanying the tour were the Director of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Sarawak Zone, Yang Berbahagia Laksamana Pertama Maritim Haji Mohd Khairi bin Abd Aziz, and the Director of the Miri Maritime Zone, Kepten Maritim Mohd Khairol Anuar
bin Saad.

At the end of the visit, Dato Ahmad Nadzri told the media that the main purpose of this visit was to inspect the operations progress of the Maritime Agency (Jabat) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (PPMM) in the Miri area. He emphasized that the Miri area is a new zone taken over by the Federal Government at the end of last year, and the KSM meeting records clearly stated that the facilities' operations must be enhanced and the Malaysian Maritime Law (MMA) regulations implemented.

Talking about the current state of maritime assets in the Miri area, Dato Ahmad Nadzri admitted that given the overall size of Sarawak and our country's vast maritime jurisdiction (especially the South China Sea), the maritime assets in Miri and throughout Sarawak are still insufficient and urgently need more equipment.

"Of course, we understand the government currently faces financial constraints, and are actively promoting the construction of two offshore petroleum resource bases (OPLI), hoping to further strengthen our maritime enforcement capabilities in the future."

When asked by reporters, Dato Ahmad Nadzri revealed that Sarawak already has one offshore petroleum resource base, and the two new ones are expected to be set on the East Coast (such as Kuantan) and the West Coast (such as Langkawi or other regions).

When asked whether Sarawak needs further resource allocation, he straightforwardly stated that it is indeed necessary, especially larger tonnage vessels to meet the increasing enforcement needs. However, they must progressively expand resources within the government's financial capacity.

Dato Ahmad Nadzri's visit not only deepened his understanding of the operational status of the Miri Maritime Enforcement Zone but also reflected the Federal Government's high attention and support for the maritime enforcement work in Sarawak.