MMEA'S OPV1 COMMENCES OPERATIONS IN SARAWAK WATERS TODAY
KUCHING, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- The first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV1) fully built in Malaysia has officially commenced its first operation by undertaking surveillance in the waters of Sarawak, specifically in the South China Sea area, beginning today.
Home Ministry (KDN) secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi, said the vessel was handed over to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Jan 2.
"With the addition of this fifth OPV for MMEA, we hope to enhance the security of the nation's maritime borders, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, addressing threats to sovereignty and potential encroachments by foreign fishermen.
“We anticipate that MMEA will enhance its operational efficiency and services. OPV1 holds a unique capability as it can remain submerged for a period of 21 days without requiring replenishment," he said during a press conference following his official visit aboard OPV1 today.
OPV1 is the fifth operational OPV for MMEA, complementing Maritime Vessels (KM) Arau, KM Pekan, KM Langkawi and KM Bangi.
He said the presence of OPV1, assigned to safeguard the state's waters, especially in Beting Patinggi Ali and Beting Raja Jarum, serves the additional purpose of minimising the risk of exploration and petroleum companies becoming targets for sea robberies.
Earlier Ruji and his delegation departed from Kuching International Airport aboard an AW139 helicopter which then landed on the vessel.
According to Ruji, the naming ceremony for OPV1 is slated to be officiated by the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at Pending Port soon.
On the progress of OPV2 and OPV3, he said both assets are anticipated to be delivered within the next two years, each currently at 76 per cent and 56 per cent completion, respectively.
“For OPV2, there is 24 per cent completion left and for OPV3, about 43 per cent remains. Both are modeled after OPV1. The total cost for all three OPVs is about RM740 million and these assets will enhance border control in the South China Sea region," he said.
Also present were MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Hamid Mohd Amin and KDN deputy secretay-general (Management), Dr. Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar.
-- BERNAMA
