Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) carried out 389 river patrols and inspected 589 vessels across the state in the first quarter of this year as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen river safety and regulatory compliance.
Minister for Transport Sarawak Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the enforcement drive also involved 57 operations, 35 premises inspections and the issuance of 31 compounds to ensure adherence to river regulations and navigational safety standards.
“SRB also endorsed and implemented 10 Marine Traffic and Risk Analysis (MTRA) studies to improve navigational safety, strengthen risk management and support safer river and maritime operations across Sarawak,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today (May 18).
Lee added that SRB registered a total of 318 vessels for the first quarter ending March 31 this year, comprising 13 new applications and 305 River Transport Permit (RTP) renewals.
The renewals involved 142 cargo vessels, 109 tugboats and 67 passenger vessels.
On navigational infrastructure, he said SRB maintained and installed 20 riverine traffic signages at key locations including passenger terminals in Sarikei, Sibu and Kapit, as well as along Batang Rajang from Kapit to Pelagus.
Lee said SRB also continued engaging riverine communities through four River Awareness Programmes involving 470 participants statewide.
According to him, the programmes included gotong-royong activities, basic boat handling training and life jacket distribution initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness on river safety.
Meanwhile, he said SRB’s riverine facilities and wharves continued to play an important role in connecting rural communities, with 141,133 passengers utilising the facilities as of March 31 this year.
“The figures reflect the continued importance of river transport in enhancing connectivity and supporting socio-economic activities, particularly within rural and riverine communities,” he added.
