CDF Surveys Malaysian EEZ Waters in Malacca Straits
26 May 2020 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Tan Sri Affendi Buang today reviewed the deployment and routine patrols carried out by the Royal Malaysian Navy KD Jebat through Operation (Op) Benteng which is currently monitoring exclusive economic zone waters (EEZ) around the Straits of Malacca.
The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Headquarters in a statement today said Affendi also conveyed the message to KD Jebat personnel as a sign of moral support and a personal appreciation for their commitment throughout the operation.
Affendi arrived at the KD Jebat Helipad at 10.40am and was greeted by the RMN Commanding Officer Mohammed Noorsyarizal Mohammed Noordin.
According to the statement, the RMN is committed to carrying out its duties despite having to deal with the scorching heat, rain, and even stormy waves to protect the 614,000 square kilometers of Malaysian waters for national sovereignty and national security.
"The challenge is met with never-ending enthusiasm as evidenced by KD JEBAT's strong staff of 18 officers and 141 members of the Other Ranks who also managed to curb the entry of illegal immigrants (PATI) at the end of April.
"The Ops Benteng is conducted to tighten national borders tightly against PATI violations and to curb cross-border crime activities and to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.
"The main focus of this integrated operation is also to detect and control the sea and land bottlenecks that plays a role in organizing PATI's exit and entry into the country, "he said.
The operation was activated under the National Task Force (NTF) with MAF's mandated to coordinate national border control operations with other enforcement and security agencies namely the Royal Malaysian Police (RMN), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Ministry of Health (MOH) ), the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM), the Immigration Department of Malaysia, and the Malaysian Volunteer Department (RELA).
It also includes assistance and coordination of other agencies including Fire, Customs Department, Border Control Agency (AKSEM), Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority, Department of Wildlife and National Park Peninsular Malaysia (Fisheries), Forestry Department, Malaysia Marines Department, Malaysian Department of Fisheries and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).
KUALA LUMPUR: Panglima Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) Tan Sri Affendi Buang hari ini meninjau atur gerak dan rutin rondaan yang dilaksanakan warga Kapal Diraja (KD) Jebat menerusi Operasi (Op) Benteng yang kini mengawasi perairan zon ekonomi eksklusif (ZEE) di sekitar Selat Melaka.
Markas Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) dalam kenyataan hari ini menyebut bahawa Affendi turut menyampaikan amanat kepada warga KD Jebat sebagai tanda sokongan moral dan ucapan terima kasih secara peribadi atas komitmen yang ditunjukkan sepanjang tempoh operasi itu.
Affendi tiba di geladak penerbangan KD Jebat pada jam 10.40 pagi dan disambut Pegawai Memerintah Kapal, Komander Mohammed Noorsyarizal Mohammed Noordin.
Menurut kenyataan itu, Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) komited menggalas tanggungjawab yang diamanahkan biarpun terpaksa bertugas di bawah cuaca panas terik, berhujan, malahan dilambung badai ombak untuk menjaga perairan Malaysia yang meliputi keluasan 614,000 kilometer persegi, demi kedaulatan negara dan keselamatan rakyat.
"Cabaran ditempuhi dengan semangat yang tidak pernah luntur dapat dibuktikan oleh warga KD JEBAT yang berkekuatan seramai 18 pegawai dan 141 anggota Lain-lain Pangkat (LLP) yang turut berjaya mengekang kemasukan pendatang asing tanpa izin (PATI) pada akhir April yang lalu.
"Ops Benteng adalah untuk mengawal ketat sempadan negara secara bersepadu daripada dibolosi PATI dan mengekang aktiviti jenayah rentas sempadan selain menyekat penularan wabak COVID-19.
"Tumpuan utama dalam operasi bersepadu ini juga adalah untuk mengesan dan menahan tekong
laut dan darat yang memainkan peranan dalam mengaturkan perjalanan keluar dan masuk PATI ke negara ini," katanya.
Operasi itu diaktifkan di bawah National Task Force (NTF) dengan ATM diberi mandat untuk menyelaras operasi kawalan persempadanan negara bersama-sama agensi penguatkuasaan dan keselamatan yang lain iaitu Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM), Kementerian Kesihatan (KKM), Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM), Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia, dan Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia (RELA).
Ia turut membabitkan bantuan dan atur gerak agensi lain iaitu bomba, Jabatan Kastam, Agensi Kawalan Sempadan Malaysia (AKSEM), Pihak Berkuasa Penerbangan Awam Malaysia, Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Semenanjung Malaysia (Perhilitan), Jabatan Perhutanan, Jabatan Laut Malaysia, Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia dan Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK).
