KUCHING: The State Security and Enforcement Unit yesterday received three patrol vessels.
They were handed over in a ceremony by the implementing agency, the Public Works Department, to the unit as the agency responsible for the Sarawak Coastguard.
According to its statement, the three vessels are the first phase under the contract to build six patrol vessels of the same type by Sarawak Slipways Sdn Bhd.
“Following this, the remaining three vessels are expected to be given in Jan 2023. The construction of these high tech assets is one of the state government’s commitments in dealing with issues of safety and community wellbeing that occurs in the Sarawak waters,” said the statement.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit director Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung stated that the vessels will be used to enforce the state law on its coast, search and rescue, security control in official water and many more.
“Since the Sarawak Coastguard was officiated on April 7 last year, it has participated in six series of search and rescue operations off the coast of Sarawak,” he said.
At the same event, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki thanked all the agencies involved in successfully building the Sarawak Coastguard’s capacity in accordance with the objectives of cost, quality and time period set in the contract.
“I am confident that these vessels with its design and advanced technology equipment can succeed in the State Government’s initiative to create a more peaceful, safe and conducive atmosphere in the withdrawal of Foreign Direct Investment as well as the creation of a safer environment for fishermen and residents in coastal areas,” he said in his speech delivered by Deputy Secretary to the Government of Sarawak (Administration) Datuk Bukland Bangik on his behalf.
The handing over of the vessel was witnessed by Bukland at the Kuching Port Authority.
