MUKAH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) made its presence felt here with the Maritime Friend Programme at Kampung Litong on Thursday.
The agency deals with matters pertaining to the sea, including safeguarding Sarawak’s territorial boundary.
However, it has no branch or office of any kind here despite Mukah being a coastal town and its nearby river mouth meets the South China Sea.
The programme was organised by MMEA Bintulu Zone in collaboration with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, Press Metal Sdn Bhd and Kampung Litong Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).
MMEA Bintulu Zone director Capt (Maritime) Shahref Steve MacQueen Abdullah said the programme was a social responsibility of the agency aimed to increase public awareness about its existence, role and function, especially among the local maritime community.
According to him, besides disseminating information about its role and function to the community, the agency also tried to contribute in certain ways through charity work.
The construction of a fishermen jetty at Kampung Litong involving MMEA personnel and villagers was a manifestation of the agency’s social responsibility programme.
“Through this programme, the agency tries to mingle with the local community in our effort to continue our momentum to ‘Merakyatkan Perkhidmatan Awam’,” he said at the programme officiated by Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi.
He added that the programme was also a platform to foster relationship and collaboration between MMEA, government agencies, corporate and local maritime community.
The programme also featured talks, exhibition, sports and social activities.
