MMEA, US Coast Guard discuss status of patrol vessel transfer

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has held talks with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) regarding the status of the USCG Cutter (patrol vessel) transfer to the agency.

MMEA acting director-general Saiful Lizan Ibrahim said the matter was discussed during his meeting with USCG commandant Linda Fagan at his office in Putrajaya on Wednesday.

"Various issues were discussed, including efforts to strengthen relationships and cooperation in combating criminal activities in the waters of the country's border and cross-border crimes.

"The discussion also touched on the status of the USCG Cutter ship’s transfer to MMEA, which is expected to receive it by the end of this year,” he said in a statement yesterday.

However, the statement did not provide further details on the matter.

On April 29, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail reported that the USCG had offered two of its patrol vessels to the MMEA as a sign of the close cooperation between the two security agencies.

According to Saifuddin, the offer was made when he visited several agencies in the United States last September and the MMEA had also been instructed to assess the capabilities of the assets in question.

Fagan arrived in Malaysia for a three-day visit on May 28. It is her first visit to the country since her historic appointment as the first woman commandant for the USCG on June 1, 2022.

- Bernama

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