LANGKAWI, Malaysia – Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Los Angeles Long Beach (MSST LA/LB) engaged in a comprehensive subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with a group comprising nine officers from the Royal Malaysian Customs (RMC) and 11 officers from the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), all associated with the prestigious Royal Malaysian Customs Academy in Langkawi (AKMAL). This collaborative initiative spanned from October 31 to November 15, 2024, highlighting the commitment of both nations to enhance maritime security collaboration.
Service members from both nations discussed and demonstrated law enforcement and seamanship best practices and tactics to bolster both regional security and maritime efforts. The exchange program commenced with U.S. Coast Guard representatives conducting in-depth training on critical law enforcement topics, covering a wide array of subjects such as authorities and jurisdictions, safety sweeps, the application of force, vessel searches, handcuffing techniques, frisk searches, and operational risk management concepts, all aimed at fortifying both agencies’ operational effectiveness.
The second portion was spent underway on RMC and RMP vessels conducting seamanship training, boat handling, and noncompliant vessel pursuit fundamentals, facilitating hands-on experience and tactical exchanges that are vital for effective maritime operations.
“Our partners in Malaysia hold high levels of law enforcement and seamanship skills, and it was a pleasure to share similarities and differences in our methods,” expressed Lt. j.g. Michael Vojvodich, deployable team leader of MSST LA/LB. “The AKMAL Langkawi facility is top-tier, and our coxswains genuinely enjoyed driving the RMC and RMP vessels alongside their Malaysian counterparts. This engagement not only strengthened the partnerships between our agencies but also advanced the U.S. Coast Guard’s imperative for regional cooperation in maritime security.”
The final days of the program were dedicated to crucial medical training that covered CPR and essential lifesaving skills, ensuring that participants are prepared to handle emergencies effectively.
“As a result of this exchange, we further gained confidence and courage to act if a comrade is injured in an operation,” remarked Royal Malaysian Inspector Wan Azizan, leader of the Malaysian contingent in the Royal Malaysian Police. “We now possess the knowledge to quickly apply a tourniquet and assess a patient’s level of consciousness, heart rate, and respiration, even in high-stress situations.”
Sharing his experience with the training, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Richie Pilozo stated, “This was my 15th international training engagement in my career; the Royal Malaysian members were exceptional to train with and be around all day while underway. The students displayed eagerness to learn new boat tactics on unfamiliar platforms, and I truly hope they enjoyed the training as much as I did.”
Upon the conclusion of the SMEEs, service members from both countries expressed their desires to continue to share ideas, information, and knowledge and conduct future exchanges, emphasizing the potential for ongoing collaboration.
“This engagement has been both interesting and highly useful,” noted Azizan. “We gained a significant amount of knowledge that was beneficial and practical to our missions. On behalf of the Malaysian participants, we express our deepest gratitude and hope that such training will continue in the future.”
The SMEE was conducted in support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, reinforcing international cooperation in law enforcement and maritime safety practices.
U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Los Angeles Long Beach is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is tasked with countering terrorism and providing protection for critical infrastructure, strategic shipping routes, and high-interest vessels. They are located at U.S. Coast Guard Base Los Angeles Long Beach in San Pedro, California.
What specific outcomes did Inspector Wan Azizan observe from the collaborative exercises that can be implemented in Malaysian operations?
**Interview with Lt. j.g. Michael Vojvodich and Inspector Wan Azizan on US-Malaysia Maritime Security Collaboration**
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for joining us today. To start, can you tell us a bit about the recent Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) in Langkawi and its significance?
**Lt. j.g. Michael Vojvodich:** Thank you for having us. The SMEE was a fantastic opportunity for the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team in Los Angeles Long Beach to collaborate with officers from the Royal Malaysian Customs and Police. Over a two-week period, we focused on enhancing maritime security through shared training in law enforcement and seamanship practices. Our goal was not only to exchange knowledge but also to strengthen the partnerships between our agencies for regional security.
**Inspector Wan Azizan:** Absolutely. This exchange was vital for us at the Royal Malaysian Police. We engaged in a variety of hands-on training exercises and discussions that not only improved our skills but also fostered a deeper understanding of each other’s operational methods. It’s essential in today’s world to bolster our collaborative efforts in maritime security.
**Interviewer:** Can you elaborate on the types of training that took place during this exchange?
**Lt. j.g. Michael Vojvodich:** Of course. The first part consisted of classroom-based training where we covered crucial law enforcement topics, including authorities and jurisdictions, vessel searches, and risk management strategies. This theoretical foundation was crucial for operational effectiveness. The second portion of our training was conducted at sea, where we practiced seamanship skills, including boat handling and tactics for pursuing noncompliant vessels. This hands-on experience is key in any maritime operation.
**Inspector Wan Azizan:** Additionally, we included vital medical training during the final days of the exchange. Learning CPR and lifesaving skills ensured that our teams are prepared to handle emergencies effectively, which is critical during operations. It’s empowering to know we have the capability to assist our comrades in case of injuries.
**Interviewer:** Lt. Vojvodich, you mentioned that the AKMAL facility is “top-tier.” What makes it stand out?
**Lt. j.g. Michael Vojvodich:** The facilities at the Royal Malaysian Customs Academy provide an outstanding environment for training. They are well-equipped, and the staff has a high level of professionalism and expertise. This infrastructure significantly contributes to effective learning and skill enhancement, making it an ideal setting for our collaborative exercises.
**Interviewer:** Inspector Azizan, could you share what you took away from this exchange?
**Inspector Wan Azizan:** This experience has greatly enhanced our confidence. We have learned new skills and techniques that we can implement in our operations. The networking with our U.S. counterparts has also provided us with insights into different operational strategies that can be adapted to our context. We feel more prepared and capable to act decisively during maritime operations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for your insights. It’s clear that this exchange not only strengthened partnerships but also prepared both teams for future challenges in maritime security.
**Lt. j.g. Michael Vojvodich:** Thank you for having us. It was a rewarding experience.
**Inspector Wan Azizan:** Yes, thank you. We look forward to future collaborations.
