‘SRB can’t take action on boat roof riders’
KUCHING: Sarawak Rivers Board ( SRB) can only advise passengers not to sit on roof tops of express boats as there is no law or regulation prohibiting them from doing so.
This was confirmed by SRB controller William Jinep to The Borneo Post, who said SRB had no power to take action against passengers who preferred to sit on the roof tops of express boats.
“All that we can do is to advise the boat operators to advise passengers not to sit on roof tops of the express boats,” said William.
He also pointed out that it was not mandatory for passengers to wear life jackets.
“Last year, we had proposed to make it mandatory for passengers to wear life jackets in open vessels such as speedboats and longboats, including both registered and unregistered ones.
“However, the ministry ( Infrastructure Development and Transportation Ministry) asked us to review our proposal especially the part concerning the unregistered vessels. So the proposal is still pending to be approved and implemented,” he explained.
William was responding to a recent report in The Borneo Post entitled ‘Association chief raises alarm over boat roof riders’”, in which Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) chairman Dr Dusit Jaul expressed shock over passengers sitting on express boat roof tops.
Sarawak Third, Sixth and Seventh Division Express Boats Association vice chairman Ting Chuo Won, when contacted, said it was the preference and a common practice for passengers from
All that we can do is to advise the boat operators to advise passengers not to sit on roof tops of the express boats.
upper parts of the Rajang River to sit on the roof tops.
“First of all, most of the passengers from ulu areas don’t really pay for their children. For example, they may travel in a family of five - father, mother and three young children. They may just pay for three tickets.
“We don’t demand them to pay for their children because most of them are not well- off. Usually, they just tell us the number of tickets they want and we turn a blind eye on the number of children they are bringing with them. The mother and children will somehow make do in the express boat while the father will go to the roof top to give the seats to his children.
“Another reason is just simply the preference of male passengers to sit on the roof top. These passengers are usually from very ulu areas who don’t like the air conditioning but prefer natural air. On the roof tops, they can smoke and drink. It is just the practice or a habit of those from Ulu Rajang,” said Ting.
On Dusit’s suggestion that full safety audit be done on express boat operations, William said it was done on a yearly basis.
“The river transport permits are renewed on yearly basis. Every year, all registered vessels have to go through full inspection to ensure that they are safe to travel or carry passengers,” explained William, adding that he welcomed all feedback to ensure better and safer river transportation.
On overloading of boats, he said SRB tried to manage passenger overloading by implementing ‘ no ticket no entry’ policy at the wharves or main terminals.
“The problem comes when the express boats pick up passengers along the way.
“So we need more river patrols along the rivers. We are now building three more, and next year, we will have five more to patrol the rivers to ensure no overloading midway along the rivers,” he added.
Presently, express boats are still a popular mode of transport in Tatau, Mulu, upper Baram and upper Rajang including Bakun and Belaga.
Meanwhile, Transportation and Assistant Minister River Safety Liwan Lagang said as the New Year was approaching and schools were reopening, the ministry anticipated heavy passenger load on the rivers.
“We would like to advise all passengers on express boats, speedboats and private boats to take extra precautions by wearing life jacket and be corporative with the boat operators.
“Boat operators are advised to cooperate with SRB and other agencies that monitor river transport and strictly adhere to safety regulations by having enough life jackets and no overloading of passengers.
“The SRB officers, the Police and the Marine will be around at strategic locations to monitor the situation. Do cooperate with each other. They are there to make sure you reach your destination safely,” reminded Liwan in a WhatsApp message.
William Jinep, SRB controller