By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 7: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has launched Sarawak’s first coastguard agency to protect and monitor its territorial waters including the safety of fishermen and marine resources.
As the Sarawak government has allocated RM90 million for the procurement of assets in Budget 2020, the Sarawak Coastguard is today equipped with one catamaran and six interceptor boats boasting 1,050 horsepower engines to safeguard the waters of this region.
“The Sarawak Coastguard is a very important establishment to defend our coastlines.
“Today, Sarawak is recognised as a region and not merely a state but a part of the region that formed Malaysia namely the Federation of Malaya, Sabah region and Sarawak region,” Abang Johari reiterated when launching the Sarawak Coastguard at the Kuching Waterfront here today.
He revealed that the six interceptor boats will start operating in Sarawak waters this year.
“The construction of a few more high-speed boats to conduct surveillance along the coast is being carried out based on an open tender by JKR (Public Works Department),” he added.
Emphasising that the Sarawak government is always concerned about the wellbeing and safety of fishermen in this region, Abang Johari said that the establishment of the Sarawak Coastguard demonstrated that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government prioritised the people first.
Elaborating on the assets of the Sarawak Coastguard, he pointed out that they are also suitable to be mobilised during major floods to assist the people, especially in search and rescue operations.
“Sarawak Coastguard’s role will also complement and collaborate with other enforcement agencies of Sarawak and the Federal government.
“The Sarawak Coastguard will enforce the law under the State Ordinance particularly State Fisheries Ordinance 2003, Forest Ordinance 2015, Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998, National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998 and Oil and Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958,” he added.
He that the establishment of the Sarawak Coastguard is an initiative of the Sarawak government to create a safe environment that in turn will be able to attract foreign investors in the transformation of Sarawak towards a developed region by 2030.
“The Sarawak Coastguard will definitely bring a lot of benefit in collaborative efforts to ensure our fishermen and our national parks are protected and not intruded on by others.
“This is our region, we will take care of our region and we will defend our region,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, according to State Enforcement and Security Unit director Datu Dr Chai Khin Chung, nine high-speed boats are expected to be completed in stages in 2022 and 2023 to support Sarawak Coastguard in their tasks.
At the launching of the coastguard unit today, the vessel – called SC Tanjung Datu – was being unveiled, a catamaran which the Sarawak Coastguard received at the end of last year.
It has been commissioned for surveillance purposes, management of flood disasters in Sarawak and to serve as the training vessel for the coastguards.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion were among those present at the event. — DayakDaily
