LABUAN: The Sabah Marine Police (Region 4) seized contraband goods worth RM18,729,439 and made 1,439 arrests last year.
Their chief commander, ACP Mohamad Pajeri Ali, said the offences were committed in Sabah and Labuan waters.
The cases were being investigated under the Customs Act 1967, Fisheries Act 1985, Immigration Act 1959/63, Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 (Amended 2010) and Control of Supplies Act 1961, among others.
“2018 was the greatest success for the Sabah Marine Police (Region 4) in making sure the long and wide of Sabah’s territorial and Labuan’s waters were protected,” he said in an interview with Bernama yesterday.
He said the close cooperation with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) will continue to be enhanced so that people living on Sabah’s coastline are protected, and the territory and border, free from intrusion.
Pajeri said despite the huge range of area which needs to be guarded, it will be monitored strictly for illegal activity.
“The high level of dedication and discipline among marine personnel contributes to the agency’s success,” he added.
Pajeri said the Sabah and Labuan Marine Police have more than 800 personnel and 89 assets to help look after the waters in line with the motto: ‘No day without a favourable result’ (Tiada hari tanpa keberhasilan).
“We are focussing on three areas in our operations this year, integrated with other enforcement agencies like Immigration, Fisheries, Customs and the Sabah Ports and Harbour Department,” Pajeri said.
Pajeri thanked members of the public for being the eyes and ears of the agency in safeguarding Malaysian waters.– Bernama
