Report on sighting of Suluk fishing boat
MIRI: Sarawak DAP secretary Alan Ling Sie Kiong yesterday lodged a report of complaints by local fishermen that they spotted a Suluk fishing boat berthed at Miri River on the website (eADUAN) of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
He attached a scanned copy of two newspaper articles on the matter to the report.
“I am surprised that a Suluk boat was found here which suggests that the authority concerned is ineffective and inefficient in its enforcement,” Alan told The Borneo Post.
Despite the many complaints by the local fishermen which were highlighted in the media, the authorities did not seem to have taken any action, he pointed out.
He urged the authorities to look into the problem promptly to protect the state’s marine resources and the livelihood of local fishermen, such as by carrying out air and coastal surveillance.
According to Ling, DAP will bring up the issue in the next State Legislative Assembly sitting through a motion to be tabled by Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon.
He recalled that in the last few months, reports were made by local fishermen to the Fisheries Department and other relevant agencies that Suluk fishermen were still fishing in Sarawak waters and even photographs of the boats were given to them as proof.
But until today no action had been done to nab these foreigners and the culprits who harboured them here, he added.
Ling also said he had urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) to investigate the matter the last few months.
“This is not just about the rice bowl and plight of local fishermen as it also concerns our security and safety,” he stressed. Ling disclosed that he also received complaints from local fishermen that fish bombing were still done around Batu Mat between Niah and Suai and Samalaju waters where it is believed that fish are still plentiful.