KUCHING: 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 secretary-general 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 at sea for 21 days without requiring replenishments,” 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 of 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, 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, currently at 76% and 56% completion, respectively.
“Both are modelled after OPV1. The total cost of all three OPVs is about RM740 million. These assets will enhance border control in the South China Sea region,” he said.
Also present were MMEA director-general Hamid Amin and ministry deputy secretary-general (management) Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar.
On the procurement of four new helicopters to strengthen MMEA, Ruji said this is expected to be completed in the next two to three years. All four helicopters will be stationed at the Sandakan maritime air operations centre in Sabah.
“We now have the Subang maritime air station where the agency’s helicopters are placed. In the pipeline is the procurement of helicopters for use in patrolling, especially on the east coast of Sabah and Sarawak.”
He added that the procurement of the assets, involving an allocation of RM600 million, had been given the green light.
“In terms of the hangar (for the helicopters) and so on, I will head the ministry’s discussions with the Sabah government and also Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad,” he said.
Ruji said the ministry had also finalised the procurement of a main vessel that will act as a refuelling station and food supply storage. - FMT
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