RMN, MMEA not compromising on country's maritime security during Ramadan

The duties of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in defending the sovereignty and security of the country will not be affected despite Muslim personnel observing the fasting month of Ramadan.

Chief of Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said training and exercises, including with the navies of other countries would be conducted without any limitation.

"RMN will continue to patrol the sea, 24 hours daily each week even during Ramadan. It will not affect the focus of RMN in maintaining harmony in the country's waters.

"In this holy month, RMN personnel will pray and eat alternately, including on duty at the deck, monitoring the radar and in the engine room," he told Bernama in a recent interview.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman said this was because their duties in maritime operation required complete focus to ensure maritime security, as well as the safety of the ship and crew.

On the level of the country's security, Ahmad Kamarulzaman said it was peaceful and under control from any external enemy threat.

"The people, especially the maritime community need not worry and should continue their daily routine as normal.

"Should there be anything suspicious, they should contact RMN, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), police as well as Rakan Maritime which is an RMN initiative to reach out to the people as the eyes and ears of the navy."

Meanwhile, MMEA director-general Maritime Admiral Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said during Ramadan and Syawal this year, MMEA launched a special operation, 'Op Pagar Laut', to check the movements of pirates and foreign fishermen attempting to intrude into the country's waters.

"They (foreign fishermen and pirates) might have thought we will slow down monitoring during Ramadan and Syawal but they are wrong as we are stepping upsecurity in our waters" he said.