Kuala lumpur: Securing the country's waters spanning over 500,000 square kilometres from the threat of cross-border crime requires high readiness from the Special Task and Rescue Team (STAR Team) of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the STAR Team, as an elite unit, is responsible for conducting high-risk operations to ensure the safety of the Malaysia Maritime Zone (ZMM) against intrusion and violence. Captain Maritime Syuzefril Mat Noor, the STAR Team Commander, highlighted that the team, established in March 2005, is tasked with executing assault and special rescue operations in Malaysian waters.
With a force of 150 members, the team has showcased its capabilities in significant missions such as the rescue of the MT Orkim Harmony tanker in 2015 in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Navy's Special Warfare Forces (PASKAL), Op Daulat in 2013, and the rescue of the drifting 'Winposh Rampart' ship in 2022.
Syuzefril emphasized the STAR Team's pivotal role in combating maritime terrorism and conducting hostage rescues and operations against maritime crimes in the ZMM. The team is also adept at sea surface rescue operations, especially those involving confined spaces or sunken vessels, necessitating a focus on specialized missions.
The STAR Team is also actively involved in curbing ship robberies by foreigners, particularly in Johor waters, where crimes often involve theft, threats to the crew, and the use of weapons by perpetrators arriving in small boats.
In line with its 21st anniversary, the STAR Team is enhancing its operational capabilities by acquiring 40 units of Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV) to improve diving efficiency. This move is part of a broader asset modernization strategy based on the '3M' concept-Man, Machine, Method-ensuring missions are executed effectively with the support of advanced technology.
To boost tactical capabilities, the STAR Team is expanding its training to include parachute exercises, previously used in operations against 'ghost ships' in Terengganu waters. The team maintains global standards by conducting joint training with other elite units like PASKAL and international forces such as the US Marine Corps and Japan Coast Guard.
The selection process for the STAR Team is rigorous, involving identity modules, endurance runs, fitness tests, and phobia assessments before candidates qualify for a three-month basic commando course. The team's excellence has been internationally recognized, notably by the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA), after thwarting an illegal crude oil transfer attempt involving vessels 'MT Arman 114' and 'MT S Tinos' in 2023.
Syuzefril concluded by acknowledging the international appreciation for the STAR Team's collaborative efforts, reflecting its esteemed standing on the global stage.