Op Redback helped reduce human trafficking activities

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Zulkifli (second left) presents a souvenir to Sandra after the  closing of Op Redback 6/2016 at the MMEA base in Batu Pahat. — Bernama photo

Zulkifli (second left) presents a souvenir to Sandra after the closing of Op Redback 6/2016 at the MMEA base in Batu Pahat. — Bernama photo

BATU PAHAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has successfully reduced human trafficking activities from Malaysia to Australia through ‘Op Redback’.

MMEA deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Zulkifili Abu Bakar said through the Op Redback that has been carried out six times since 2011 with the Australia Border Force (ABF) human trafficking activities by syndicates that used Malaysia as a transit before smuggling them to Australia, has been reduced significantly.

“Op Redback is a win-win situation for Malaysia and Australia to curb illegal migrant activities and other types of criminal activities carried out using the Strait of Melaka.

“When Australia successfully prevented the entry of migrants, especially from Iran and Afghanistan, migrants entering Malaysia illegally has also dropped,” he told reporters after closing Op Redback 6/2016 at the MMEA base in Batu Pahat, here yesterday.

Also present were MMEA Southern Region First Admiral, Adon Shalan and ABF Counsellor Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Sandra Jeffrey. Zulkifili said through Op Redback, Malaysia and Australia were able to curb migrant problems, smuggling as well as share the expertise between both countries.

He said Op Redback 6/2016 which was carried out from May 17 to 29, at five districts in Kuala Linggi and Batu Pahat, involved 60 MMEA officers and four trainers from ABF.

Throughout the exercise, 180 boats of various make and size were inspected and as a result seven boats and 13 individuals were detained for various offences, including smuggling drugs.

“Since early this year, the MMEA had detained 190 illegal immigrants in Lumut (Perak), Klang (Selangor) and Sedili in Johor,” he said. — Bernama