KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- Members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) were told to use the month of Ramadan for rejuvenation and self-improvement to uphold their duty in the country’s waters.

MMEA Director-General Maritime Admiral Datuk Hamid Mohd Amin said the agency’s members need to place integrity as the main pillar in each of them, especially when carrying out the tasks that have been entrusted on them to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the Malaysian Maritime Zone.

“Officers and members who have that attitude at heart will transcend the image and quality of Maritime Malaysia's services and keep it in high regard in the eyes of the community,” he said today.

He said this at the presentation ceremony of the Malaysian Maritime Raya Gifts programme organised by the Malaysian Association of Women and Members of Public Service (Puspanita) sub-branch at the MMEA headquarters in Putrajaya today.

During the programme, some 2,500 Raya gift boxes were distributed to officers of the agencies involved under the auspicies of MMEA headquarters, State Maritime, Subang Maritime Air Station (SUMS), Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy (AMSAS) and the Malaysian Sea Surveillance System (SWASLA).

Hamid said the programme was held as a corporate social responsibility by Puspanita Malaysian Maritime Branch to appreciate the sacrifices of the officers and members involved in Op Khas Pagar Laut throughout the country this year.

“Through this sincere donation, I hope it will somewhat reduce the ‘homesickness’ of officers and members who will be on duty away from home (and families) in conjunction with Hari Raya later,” he said.

-- BERNAMA