MMEA set for procedure change after Lahad Datu invasion

Police Special Actions Unit members keep watch outside Kampung Tanduo near Lahad Datu, February 17, 2013. — Reuters picKOTA KINABALU, Feb 25 — In view of the intrusion by a group of Philippine nationals in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for Sabah and Labuan is expected to change its standard operating procedures.

However, MMEA commander First Admiral (Maritime) Karunanithi Munusamy said improvements in the agency’s role would require an increase in manpower, improvement in acquiring information and intelligence.

He said there were “some lessons to be learnt” (from the intrusion on February 12).

“Nevertheless, we are guarding a stretch of about 1,400km of the coastline and there will be some unmanaged waters,” he told reporters at a press conference in conjunction with MMEA’s eight anniversary here today.

Karunanithi said maritime activities in Lahad Datu went on as usual despite the encroachment of the Philippine nationals who claimed to be royal soldiers of the Sultanate of Sulu.

However, MMEA also played a role in coordinating efforts with the police and army personnel to cordon off the encroached area and deploy back-up teams in Tawau and Sandakan, complemented by assistance from Putrajaya.

On another development, Karunanithi said that on February 22, the Sabah and Labuan MMEA foiled an attempt to smuggle cigarettes worth about RM1.8 million from the Philippines, in a joint operation with the Malaysian Customs Department.

It also thwarted an attempt to smuggle out subsidised petrol worth RM11,637, he added. — Bernama