The Chief of Defence Forces, Tan Sri Affendi Buang yesterday conducted checks on routine patrols by KD Jebat personnel through Ops Benteng which now monitors the waters in the exclusive economic zone (ZEE) around the Straits of Malacca.

Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) headquarters in a statement yesterday said Affendi also conveyed his moral support and personal thanks to KD Jebat personnel for their commitment shown throughout the operation.

The statement said the operation was activated under the National Task Force (NTF) with MAF by being given the mandate to coordinate national border control operations with other enforcement and security agencies.

The agencies include the Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Ministry of Health, Civil Defence Force, Immigration Department, and Volunteer Corps Department.

"These integrated operation is to safeguard and tighten the country's borders to prevent illegal immigrants from entering and to curb cross-border criminal activities as well as to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"The involvement and the strong cooperation of personnel and assets of all the agencies can tightened and assure healthcare authorities that no illegal immigrants can sneak into Malaysia with the infection and start a new cluster," it said.

The main focus of the integrated operation was to detect and arrest sea and land skippers who play a vital role in arranging the entry and exit of illegal immigrants into the country.

Accompanying Affendi were Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany and Western Fleet commander, Vice Admiral Datuk Aris Adi Tan Abdullah.

-- BERNAMA