MIRI: The construction of the second administrative complex of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Sarawak is expected to start in 2020.
Sarawak Maritime Director First Maritime Admiral Robert Teh Geok Chuan said the tender for the construction of the administrative complex had been closed and was awaiting the Home Ministry’s decision.
“The project is expected to be completed next year involving the construction of an administrative complex and and jetty on Pulau Melayu,” he told reporters after the launch of the Sarex Camar 2/2019 programme here yesterday.
Earlier, the media had reported on the proposed construction of the administrative complex in 2015 on a two-acre plot of land on Pulau Melayu, identified as the location for strengthening Maritime operations in northern Sarawak.
MMEA Sarawak currently has only one administrative complex and quarters called the Tun Abang Salahuddin Maritime Complex (Komtas) at Muara Tebas, 30km from Kuching city.
On the Sarex Camar 2/2019 programme, he said it was a joint exercise with industries such as aviation, oil and gas.
“The MMEA acts as the leader of a search and rescue operation with the cooperation of Shell, Petronas and the aviation industry authority,” he added.
He revealed that the agency had set a one-hour response period to move assets to the scene of any maritime incident after a report was lodged. – Bernama