JOHOR BAHRU: The Marine Police Force today received another five security assets in the form of the Humdinga amphibious vehicles valued at RM29.5 million in total.
Bukit Aman Strategic Resources and Technology Department (StaRt) Deputy Director 1 Sahabudin Abd Manan said the acquisition increases the number of Humdingas owned by PPM to six, as how was inked in the contract with suppliers Aero Art Sdn Bhd in 2015.
“These assets will complement the ones already with PPM to improve preparedness, mainly during sea operations and floods,” he told reporters at the handover ceremony of the Humdingas at the PPM Region 2 base here today.
He said two Humdingas will be stationed at the PPM bases in Tampoi and Pengerang respectively, while rest will be at bases in Kuantan (Pahang), Pengkalan Kubor (Kelantan), Batu Uban (Penang) and Kampung Acheh (Perak).
“There are two in Johor now because we need to prepare for the possibility of major floods in Kota Tinggi,” he said.
Sahabudin said the Humdinga is capable achieving speeds up to 120 kilometres per hour on land and a maximum 30 knots at sea.
In another development, Bukit Aman PPM Commander SAC Mohd Yusoff Mamat said between January and April this year alone, the marine force have successfully handled 1,992 cases of contraband smuggling, including cigarettes, alcohol and firecrackers.
This was an increase of 26 per cent compared to only 1,554 cases in the same period last year, while the value of seized items also increased by 117 per cent to RM72.53 million. – Bernama
