Incident-free river travel for Gawai so far — SRB
SIBU: Good cooperation from boat operators and passengers during the first phase of the Gawai Operation held from May 24 to 31 had resulted in an incident- free festive celebration.
Sarawak Rivers Board ( SRB) assistant controller ( region II) Christopher Chan said this to The Borneo Post yesterday when asked about the outcome of phase one of the operation.
“We received good cooperation from boat operators during the first phase of the Gawai Operation and also the passengers who followed our instructions for the convenience and safety of all who used our terminal during this period.
“No untoward incident happened. Our utmost concern was to ensure they arrived home for their Gawai safely. Everyone gave their cooperation to us and the other enforcement agencies on duty, from the porters to passengers,” he disclosed.
Chan pointed out that the terminal was crowded but the situation was under control.
For the record, Sibu Express Boat Terminal handled a whopping 21,140 passengers between May 23 and 28— a span of just six days.
“We strictly ensured no boats carried passengers beyond the allowed capacity,” he added.
According to Chan, predeparture inspections were carried out before the boats were allowed to depart.
Additionally, extra trips to cater for demand were provided by boat operators in the event the boats were all already full.
Chan revealed that the second phase of the operation started
No untoward incident happened. Our utmost concern was to ensure they arrived home for their Gawai safely. Everyone gave their cooperation to us and the other enforcement agencies on duty, from the porters to passengers. Christopher Chan, SRB assistant controller (region II)
yesterday and ends today, while the final phase is from June 9 until 11.
“For upriver trips, we expect it (the situation) will be quite normal as experienced in previous years. We expect more arrivals this time as the passengers and crowds begin to return to work from their longhouses in stages,” he said.
Meanwhile, government agencies involved in the integrated operations included the Marine Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ( MMEA), Royal Malaysia Police, People’s Volunteer Corps ( Rela), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), and Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism ( KPDNKK).