Admiral Dato' Mohd Amdan Kurish

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the waters surrounding Malaysia and all of Malaysia's interest therein. We are the principal government agency tasked with maintaining law and order and coordinating search and rescue operations in the Malaysian Maritime Zone and on the high seas.

Surrounded as we are by two globally important stretches of water - the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, it imperative that the sea which is Malaysia's first line of defence is protected from potential trespass or illegal activity where its coastlines, territorial waters, and economic zones are concerned. This includes piracy, human trafficking or even smuggling of commodities that might bring harm to our nation.

DSA 2012 will assits us in revising and adjusting our strategies and tactics in order to effectively combat such atrocities. Besides material assault and defence, DSA also serves to reinforce another tool in ensuring peace and stability - cooperation with allies and friends. To-date, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency maintains and strengthens close ties with the Japanese and United States coast guards during peaceful times and crises bound phases.

I wish our foregin counterparts a warm welcome to Malaysia and have a splendid DSA 2012.