KUCHING: Sarawak’s waters were under constant watch throughout 2025, with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) carrying out 11,938 inspections — an aggressive year-long enforcement push that led to arrests, rescues and tighter maritime control.
The operations resulted in 4,276 searches and 81 arrests involving 353 individuals for various maritime offences, reflecting an intensified enforcement tempo across the state’s waters.
Sarawak MMEA Director First Admiral Mohd Khairi Abd Aziz said offences under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 recorded the highest number of arrests among all violations detected during the year.
“The results were driven by a series of targeted operations — ‘Ops Naga Sarawak’, ‘Ops Mardof’, ‘Ops Permai’, ‘Ops Tiris’, ‘Ops Tongkang Balak’ and ‘Ops Ambal’ — aimed at stamping out illegal activities at sea, particularly incursions by Vietnamese fishing vessels.
“The success of these operations was reinforced by close coordination with multiple agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Navy, Marine Police Operations Force, Sarawak Fisheries Department, Sarawak Marine Department, Immigration Department, Sarawak Forest Department, Sarawak Department of Environment and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living,” he said.
Beyond enforcement, Sarawak MMEA also delivered strong results in search and rescue (SAR) operations, backed by swift response times and effective coordination.
Among the standout rescues was the saving of two US nationals after their yacht suffered engine failure off Miri, with both rescued by KM Siagut, and the rescue of seven anglers after their boat capsized in Kuching waters following rapid coordination with Senari Port.
Throughout 2025, Mohd Khairi said the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Kuching handled 21 maritime emergencies involving 143 victims, with 122 people rescued, 10 fatalities confirmed and 11 still reported missing.
“The agency does not only focus on enforcement, but also strengthened awareness through two-way engagement with local fishermen to ensure legal compliance and the sustainability of marine resources.
“Looking ahead, surveillance and enforcement within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will be further intensified in 2026 to ensure Sarawak’s waters remain safe, orderly and sovereign,” he said.
