Port dickson: Two personnel of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for Melaka and Negeri Sembilan were injured after a patrol boat was rammed by a speedboat suspected of smuggling illegal immigrants near the state maritime borders last night.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, during the 9pm confrontation, a 34-year-old member sustained injuries to the upper part of his nose while another 36-year-old crew member suffered injuries to his legs and arms due to the impact. They were sent to the Port Dickson Hospital for treatment and are reported to be stable.

Maritime Captain Salehuddin Zakaria, the director of MMEA, reported that the Lumut Maritime Surveillance System had detected a suspicious boat at 8 pm in the Traffic Separation Scheme area. The boat was heading towards the waters of Tanjung Rhu in Sepang, prompting a MMEA patrol boat on duty under Ops Patkor Optima to intercept the speedboat. The speedboat, equipped with three high-powered engines, acted aggressively, ramming the left side of the patrol boat, causing severe damage before escaping.

Salehuddin indicated that the speedboat likely retreated out of Malaysian waters after their failed mission. He stated that detection and special actions are now underway to track down the suspects and the smuggling network involved. He emphasized that the MMEA takes human smuggling attempts via sea routes seriously, as they threaten national security and endanger the lives of illegal immigrants and enforcement personnel.

Salehuddin highlighted that this incident underscores the high stakes faced by MMEA enforcement officers, who constantly encounter direct threats at sea. He urged the public who have information about clandestine activities to report it to the Melaka and Negeri Sembilan Maritime Operations Centre at 06-3876730 or the emergency line 999 for further action.