Some boat owners not cooperating with authorities

“There are those who are uncooperative. How can they expect us to help them when there is trouble?

“Do people expect security forces to shoulder the responsibility when tugboat or fishing trawler owners refuse to listen to us?”

Following the kidnapping of five Malaysians from a tugboat, as well as two Indonesians from a trawler off Lahad Datu this month, Sabah police have made it compulsory for all vessels to install the Automatic Identification System (AIS).

The system allows security forces to identify vessels at sea.

Profile and contact numbers of crew members should also be given to Esscom, along with a detailed plan of movement before vessels set sail to their destinations.

“This will allow us to monitor their movements and respond promptly when they call us. Resort operators cooperated with us when we advised them and, so far, things have improved.

“Some vessel owners, however, are not cooperative and that’s not good,” said Rashid.

Sam’s fishing partner, Sunoh, said in the past, resort operators were uncooperative because they hired illegal immigrants and feared a backlash from the authorities.

But now, it would seem, they have no choice because they are targets of kidnap-for-ransom groups as police investigations had found that Filipino workers may be in cahoots with the culprits.

“Tugboat and trawler owners hire illegal immigrants because of lower wages or they may be involved in smuggling or fishbombing, or use nets that are prohibited,” said Sunoh, a seafood trader.

He said many tugboat and trawler owners had profited handsomely because of lower operating costs and to install things like the AIS, or give the identities of their crew members and sailing route to the authorities, would mean trouble.

“But when bigger trouble happens, it will be on their conscience,” said Sunoh.