MMEA revises strategy in anticipation of influx of refugees

LANGKAWI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has revised its strategy in anticipation of an influx of Rohingya refugees following the atrocities committed against them in Myanmar.
MMEA Director-General Admiral (Maritime) Datuk Zulkifli Abu Bakar said previously that human trafficking syndicates were the masterminds for the entry of illegal refugees, but now the situation differed.
"The situation is different as the pressure is worse, resulting in many Rohingya fleeing from their homeland to Bangladesh," he said.
He told this to reporters after attending a handing over ceremony between former Northern Region maritime director, First Maritime Admiral Zukarnain Mohd Omar and his successor, First Maritime Admiral Rozali Mohd Said.
He said there were now reportedly 800,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and some were anticipated to attempt to flee southwards in boats, with Malaysia as one their destinations.

Zulkifli said Rozali who now undertakes the task of heading maritime districts which included Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak had already been informed of the anticipated influx of Rohingya refugees and was directed to make the necessary preparations.
"The preparations are made based on humanitarian grounds and temporary assistance provided through collaborative efforts with other government agencies," he added.
Langkawi grabbed the world's attention in May 2015 when 1,158 illegals from Rohingya and Bangladesh arrived on the island, exposing a human trafficking syndicate which was connected with syndicates in southern Thailand.
Zulkifli is confident that Rozali, who has served in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) and as Penang district MMEA director, was capable of implementing the planned enforcement strategy. — Bernama