MMEA focuses on strategic assets and tech with a 101% budget increase, aiming for 280 sea days and enhanced enforcement in Malaysian waters.
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is prioritising strategic assets, infrastructure, and modern technology following a major budget increase.
Its Development Expenditure has surged to RM1.2 billion for this year, a 101.43% increase from the previous allocation.
MMEA Director-General Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said key priorities include procuring Maritime Surveillance Aircraft and upgrading maritime complexes.
“The development allocation reflects the MADANI Government’s commitment to strengthening MMEA’s role as the nation’s primary maritime security agency,” he said.
The first Multi-Purpose Mission Ship project is 58.3% complete and ahead of schedule for delivery next year.
Procurement of four AW189 Medium Lift helicopters is 44.66% complete, with the first aircraft expected in July.
MMEA’s total Budget 2026 allocation is RM2.29 billion, comprising RM1.09 billion for Operating Expenditure and RM1.2 billion for Development Expenditure.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has set a target of 280 operational days at sea this year, up from 250 days in 2024.
Mohd Rosli said the agency will practice a ‘Whole-of-Government’ approach through integrated cooperation and intelligence sharing.
MMEA handled 255 incidents at sea last year, successfully saving 1,765 lives.
The estimated value of property saved in those operations reached RM1.8 billion.
The agency also recorded seizures totalling RM102.9 million from 248,058 inspections last year.
These involved 1,124 cases of arrests and seizures for various maritime law offences.
