Malaysia Coast Guard Launches Tender for Non-Lethal Electric Guns

Malaysia Coast Guard Seeks Non-Lethal Electric Guns Following Violent Clashes at Sea

Mohd Hanif Ismail - : Oct 5, 2025 - : 4:59 pm

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The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), internationally known as the Malaysia Coast Guard, has initiated an open tender process to procure Non-Lethal Weapon Electric Guns for its operational use in 2025. This procurement signals a tactical shift towards equipping enforcement officers with advanced less-lethal options, enhancing their ability to respond to hostile situations at sea while minimising fatalities and serious harm. The tender, which commenced on 3 October 2025 and closes on 10 October 2025, seeks a total of 20 units of the specified equipment. The indicative value of this contract is RM380,000.00 (approximately USD 90,304.18).

Background: The Need for De-escalation

This move to adopt dedicated non-lethal technology comes against a backdrop of increasing and often violent confrontations between MMEA officers and foreign fishing vessels, predominantly from Vietnam, encroaching upon Malaysian waters. Incidents in recent years have demonstrated the extreme peril faced by enforcement personnel; officers have been injured after being attacked with sharp objects and hard-to-handle fishing equipment as they attempted to apprehend aggressive crews. The volatile nature of these encounters has tragically escalated at times, including a 2020 incident where an MMEA officer was compelled to open fire, resulting in the death of a Vietnamese fisherman after the MMEA patrol vessel was rammed and officers were attacked. The introduction of sophisticated, non-lethal weapons aims to provide MMEA crews with a critical intermediate force option, bridging the gap between verbal commands and the use of lethal firearms in high-stress, dangerous maritime interceptions.

High-Specification Requirements

The technical specification documents released by the MMEA detail a requirement for an advanced electric gun designed for rapid, decisive incapacitation. The device must utilise Rapid Short Pulse Electric Control Technology and deliver a substantial output voltage of 55kV (+/-11kV), while maintaining a low output current of no more than 2mA. Operational requirements emphasise portability and precision; the unit must weigh less than 550g and feature an ambidextrous safety switch for ease of use in dynamic scenarios. Crucially, the specification mandates the inclusion of a laser for easy aiming and targeting, alongside an LED flashlight and a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery system. Each unit set must be delivered with one training cartridge and five operational cartridges, a holster, and a hard case.

Procurement Rules and Supplier Mandates

To ensure the quality and authenticity of the specialised equipment, MMEA has set out strict compliance criteria for interested bidders. Suppliers are required to be registered with the Malaysian Ministry of Finance (MOF) and must provide a letter confirming their status as an Authorised Distributor appointed by the original manufacturer. Furthermore, the successful supplier will be expected to offer product consultation and specialised training to MMEA personnel after the delivery of the equipment, at no additional cost. This stringent procurement process underscores the agency's commitment to integrating the new non-lethal electric guns effectively and safely into its enforcement toolkit.