Review use of pump boats – Jahid
AN opposition lawmaker yesterday called on the State Government to review its decision to allow the use of pump boats in Sabah.
Stressing security purposes as the reason behind the call, Tamparuli assemblyman (PBS) Datuk Jahid Jahim said the control of pump boats at sea is just “not good enough”.
“There must be collaboration with the security forces, both under ESSCom (Eastern Sabah Security Command) and ESSZone (Eastern Sabah Security Zone). We do not know how bad is the effect on its (pump boats) use, but it could be a threat factor also,” he said.
Speaking when debating the First Supplementary Supply (2019) Enactment 2019 on the first day of the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday, Jahid said apart from the tourism promotions and fellowships with the victims’ families by the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, they should also collaborate with security forces to beef up safety measures for both the local and foreign tourists, and tourism players.
“We were all shaken by the recent deaths of three divers, including two China tourists, due to fish bombing. Such tragedy must be avoided if we do not want our tourism industry suffer, and worst tarnish the state’s good name,” he said.
He noted that to monitor the fishermen’s activities, especially those using pump boats, it is also worth considering for security forces to fly drones for better aerial observation.
The previous state administration outlawed the use of pump boats in 2017, but the ban was lifted by Parti Warisan Sabah-led government after they came to power last year.
On another development, Jahid also claimed that the recent frequent fires at squatter colonies had been used by several parties to obtain identification documents for their families.
“Of course it will cause trauma to the victims, but there is no doubt that some may just take advantage of giving false particulars to obtain identification documents. Some had even said that it has become their modus operandi.
“As such, I suggest that the State Government must come up with methods to stop such act. Plan for a policy of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) at high risk areas, particularly squatter colonies, to ensure there is no repeat of such risky operations,” he said.