MMEA receives another patrol boat from Japan

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) today received another coastal patrol boat from Japan to be stationed in Sabah to strengthen operations in the state.
Sabah and Labuan MMEA director First Admiral Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the 87m long "KM Arau" was the second boat to be presented by the Japanese Government to MMEA after 'KM Pekan' began operating on April 21 in Kuantan, Pahang.
He said 'KM Arau' would be the largest MMEA boat in Sabah and it would play a major role to boost MMEA operations in Sabah waters, especially in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
"Before commencing its operation in Sabah, 'KM Arau' will continue sailing to Port Klang this Friday for the boat to be commissioned there," he told reporters after receiving the 'KM Arau' in the Royal Malaysian Navy base jetty in Sepanggar near here today.
Meanwhile, 'KM Arau' commanding officer, Maritime Captain Saiful Lizan Ibrahim said he and 24 crew members from MMEA sailed from Enoshima, Japan since May 31 and took seven days to reach Sabah. — Bernama