|
|
Malaysian Maritime
Enforcement Agency (MMEA) plans to increase its
workforce by 2,500 personnel in tandem with its
restructuring programme.
Director-general Admiral Datuk Mohammad Nik said
the agency would need the additional staff to
support the acquisition of additional facilities
and the changes in operation.
“We have only filled about 65% from the initial
amount of over 4,000 vacant positions approved
by the Government.
“And we need more people with the acquisition of
additional assets and transformation of
operations,” he told reporters after a farewell
ceremony that celebrated his retirement at the
National Hydrography Centre in Pulau Indah last
Thursday.
He said for instance, MMEA had bought its own
aircraft that required people to operate the
assets. Initially it had planned to just operate
leased aircraft.
“Also, we have a new special task and rescue
division that also needs staff. I envision that
the agency will develop into a high calibre
agency such as the US Coast Guards by 2040,” he
said.
Even with inadequate workforce, Mohammad said,
MMEA had successfully detected 683 maritime
unlawful acts with total amount of compounds and
auction of confiscated items of about RM1.3mil.
Mohammad, who led MMEA for more than two years,
hoped that the vision for MMEA to become a
world-class maritime agency would continue to be
carried out.
“I wish to thank all who have supported us and I
really appreciate the chance that was given to
me to lead the agency from the beginning,” he
said.
However, Mohammad said the Government had not
decided on the person who would replace him. |
