The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has denied Indonesian media reports that its vessel, along with a Malaysian fishing boat detained by Indonesian authorities on Tuesday, had encroached into the republic's waters near Medan, Sumatra.
MMEA director-general Admiral Zulkifli Abu Bakar said that contrary to the media reports, the area's maritime boundaries were subject to a dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia.
The area is located 15 nautical miles south-east of Pulau Jarak, Perak,
"Our fishermen were arrested in disputed waters claimed by both countries.
"The Indonesian (enforcement) agency should know it is disputed waters but they seem to have a different view," Zulkifli said during a joint press conference with Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin during an official visit to MMEA's air base in Subang, Selangor.
He added the agency will also issue a protest note through Wisma Putra with regards to the incident.
It is understood that the five individuals under Indonesian custody comprise foreign nationals employed as crew on a Malaysian-owned vessel.
Indonesian private broadcaster TV One on Tuesday reported that an MMEA vessel had allegedly trespassed onto Indonesian waters and chased an Indonesian patrol boat which had taken custody of the Malaysian fishing boat.
Earlier in his speech, Muhyiddin credited MMEA for its role in securing the country's coast lines including against encroachment by foreign vessels.
"Since its formation on May 15, 2005, the agency has carried out more than 300,000 operations and made 11,000 arrests for various maritime offences.
"The MMEA also recorded significant success in reducing maritime crime statistics from 48.6 percent in 2006 to 2.2 percent in 2018," said Muhyiddin.
To beef up MMEA's operations, Muhyiddin said the agency was expected to receive three more New Generation Patrol Craft (NGPC) soon on top of the three which it already received.
It was reported in 2017 that MMEA received the first of six NGPCs ordered through an RM381.3 million contract in 2015.
"MMEA will also receive three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) with the first one expected to be ready next year," said Muhyiddin, adding the Home Ministry has also taken note of MMEA's request to strengthen its aerial assets.
The MMEA hangar facility in Subang currently houses the agency's air assets including helicopters used to patrol the country's maritime borders. - Mkini
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