Comply with SOP, boat operators warned
SIBU: A fine of RM2,000 or a six-month jail term awaits owners, operators or navigators of passenger boats that failed to comply with Standard Operating procedures (SOP) during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
Enforcement officer of Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) Kapit, Jerry Andrew John, said with social distancing, the maximum number of passengers allowed at a time was 50 per cent of the approved passenger limit.
However, he said, the approval limit on permits varied from one boat to another depending on the size of the boat.
“If the approval limit stated in the permit is 100 people, then with the social distancing, the boat can only carry 50 people during the CMCO.
“We have advised owners, operators or boat owners to comply with the SOP.
“Any owner, operator or owner who does not comply with the SOP will face legal action under the Sarawak River Ordinance (SRO) 1993, and any other applicable laws,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Jerry thus requested the cooperation and support of all parties to continue to comply with the SOP of CMCO to prevent any unwanted incidents.
“The SOP’s compliance with the CMCO is also to ensure that Kapit Division remains a green zone,” he said.
Jerry also said the SOP compliance in Kapit Division was satisfactory.
Express boats plying SibuKapit sector resumed operations on May 28 following Sibu returning to green zone.
SRB Sibu assistant controller (Region II) Hatta Morshidi, has stated the express boats were allowed to operate the SibuKapit sector since both are in the same green zone, subjected to the SOP.