Ahmad Puzi new MMEA director-general

The deputy director-general (Operations) of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Vice-Admiral Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar has been appointed as its new director-general effective from Wednesday.

He takes over from Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish who retired after more than seven years heading the agency since May 2008.

The ceremony to hand over the duties was held at the agency's headquarters on Tuesday, witnessed by MMEA's three deputy director-generals from the Operations, Management and Logistics Departments.

In his speech, Ahmad Puzi said he would continue the excellent work of Mohd Amdan in carrying MMEA's mission and vision to make it the best enforcement body in the world by 2040.

"The MMEA will continue to be respected globally and be a benchmark for other enforcement agencies in its efficient work procedure as well as certain improvements which will be implemented," he said.

Ahmad Puzi, 59, joined the Royal Malaysian Navy in 1978 and the MMEA in 2005.

Mohd Amdan said Ahmad Puzi's appointment as his successor was apt as his experience as deputy director-general of operations meant he understood what actions had to be taken as director-general in order to make the MMEA an excellent agency.

Appointed to the post on May 5, 2008, Mohd Amdan was MMEA's second director-general after Maritime Admiral Datuk Mohammad Nik.