KUCHING: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) supports the idea of establishing Sarawak’s own coastal enforcement unit.
Last Tuesday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that the state was studying laws that governed and regularised riverine and coastal fishing.
Commenting on this, PDP president and Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing stressed the importance that the state be empowered to police its coastal areas and detain illegal foreign vessels.
“It is high time for Sarawak to take measures to secure our maritime borders and marine resources, instead of relying on federal government agencies which have shown to be ineffective at carrying out their mandate,” said Tiong in a press statement on Wednesday.
“This is the political will needed to defend and secure our marine borders from the rampant intrusion committed by foreign fishing vessels.”
He stressed that the intrusions made it extremely difficult for local fishermen to earn their livelihood.
“Even taking into consideration Sarawak’s huge marine borders, the federal government clearly does not see fit to grant the level of resources needed for the state.”
Tiong opined that the state was well within its rights to have its own coastal enforcement unit.
“Such a unit will give Sarawak a much more rapid and effective solution to our marine enforcement problems, bringing positive effects that can be felt in many areas away from the sea.
“Effective implementation and enforcement by a state marine force will do much to enhance our fisheries activities and bring the incomes of our fishermen to their proper levels,” he added.
Tiong viewed that as the fishermen get better earnings and security, they would invest in better technology and equipment towards better yields.
He also pointed out that an enforcement unit would send a message to pirates and unauthorised foreign vessels to stay away.
“This brings back a much-needed sense of security to all legal vessels going through our waters and invaluable improvement to our economy,” he said.
