PGU intensifies air patrols over Straits of Melaka

PGU assistant pilot ASP Mohammad Firdaus Rosli said the effort was part of the monitoring activities conducted under Op Benteng to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, especially among immigrants.

“We have identified several areas around the country’s coastal waters, especially in the Straits of Melaka from Port Klang, Selangor to Tanjung Piai, Johor.

“Six flights are carried out daily by PGU alone while other flights are performed by the Malaysian Maritime (the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) along the coast of the Straits of Melaka to ensure that these immigrants do not enter our country,” he said.

On Wednesday night, he flew the Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter boarded by three crew members and a Bernama journalist to conduct surveillance along the coast of the Straits of Melaka around Selangor and Perak.

Mohammad Firdaus said monitoring conducted by the unit also found that the attempts by illegal immigrants to enter the country waters often took place during high tide.

He said if PGU detected any suspicious activity in the country’s waters, the unit would alert its enforcement partners in the sea such as the Marine Police Force and the MMEA.

Op Benteng was activated under the National Task Force, led by the MAF, PDRM and MMEA, to tighten national borders from illegal immigrants and to prevent cross-border crime as well as to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.