Penang: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) have bolstered their operations, information exchange, and enforcement readiness, focusing on tackling cross-border crime threats.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MMEA Acting Deputy Director-General (Operations) Maritime Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah announced that this development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. The agreement aims to complement the long-standing bilateral relationship and represents a joint commitment to maritime cooperation in various strategic areas.
Mohd Zawawi highlighted that the cooperation between MMEA and ABF has entered a stronger phase with the MoU, which includes initiatives in training, operations, and intelligence information exchange to safeguard regional waters. Key focus areas under the MoU are joint training, human capital development, research, sharing of best practices, maritime operations, and capacity enhancement, with an emphasis on information exchange according to respective jurisdictions.
The MoU signing took place during the closing ceremony of Operation Redback Series 21/2025, attended by ABF Maritime Border Command Deputy Commander Linda Cappello. Mohd Zawawi emphasized the significance of Operation Redback as a platform to enhance patrols, intelligence, and maritime enforcement, thereby improving the safety of Malaysian and Australian waters from criminal exploitation, including human trafficking.
He cited that, in the past five years, MMEA has made 33 arrests under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007, underscoring the agency's commitment to combat cross-border crime. The Op Redback Series 21/2025, held over five days in Penang, featured expertise-sharing sessions, simulation training by ABF officers, sea enforcement operations by MMEA, and engagement programs with fishing communities.
During the on-field program, MMEA and ABF conducted safety briefings and provided contributions to recipients at Kampung Sungai Cenaam and Sungai Gelugor. Fishermen were reminded to avoid involvement in maritime crimes and were encouraged to report suspicious activities in national waters to Maritime Operations Centres or the emergency line 999.
Through these integrated efforts, Mohd Zawawi expressed hope that national waters would no longer serve as a transit hub for human trafficking syndicates, ensuring the protection of Malaysia's maritime security.