The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) should be informed of any search and rescue efforts at sea as it is now the main coordinating agency for such operations.

MMEA Sarawak enforcement unit’s Muhammad Abdul Basar Taji said the agency took over the role of coordinating search and rescue operations from the marine department in June last year.

“Not many people know that we are the main coordinating agency for search and rescue operations at sea, so we have not been informed of a lot of operations.

“I hope the public will take note and inform us if they need a search and rescue operation to be conducted,” he said, adding that the public could call the agency at 082-366 885 or 366 685.

He added that MMEA had at least one ship on standby for emergencies in addition to its ships on patrol.

“The standby ship will be ready to respond at any time. We will also coordinate with other agencies such as the police and the marine department and their assets will also be available for search and rescue operations,” he told reporters at the agency’s Hari Raya gathering here on Friday.