River safety campaign launched ahead of Gawai, Raya holidays
KAPIT: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing launched the river safety campaign at the express passenger terminal here yesterday, ahead of the coming Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, and also the mid-term school holidays.
The campaign is being run by Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB).
Its objectives are to prevent express boat operators from overloading, ensure that boat operators have valid permits, enforce the ‘No Ticket No Entry’ and the ‘One-Person-One-Life Jacket’ policies, ensure that boat operators have proper list of passengers, enhance enforcement of the boarding pass rule, and also the enforcement of 10P Form, which is application for extra trips.
According to Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, the campaign would be carried out at strategic locations across the state. It begins with Phase I from May 25 to 31 and Phase II (June 8-10) for Gawai celebration. For Hari Raya, Phase I operation will run from June 8 to 10, followed by Phase II (June 22-24).
The operation would involve 196 SRB enforcement officers and staff members using 18 boats, with assistance from the police (14 personnel), Marine Police (six personnel and one boat), Civil Defence Force (eight personnel), Marine Department (21 officers and two boats), Rela (12 personnel), Ministry of Domestic Trade , Cooperative And Consumerism (seven personnel) and several staff members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga, political secretary to chief minister Nicholas Kudi, SRB chairman Murni Suhaili and its controller Richard Tajan were among those present at the launch.