By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, July 29: Minister of Home Affairs Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reveals today that he will consult the Attorney-General’s Chamber (AGC) whether there is a provision under the present law to destroy foreign fishing vessels encroaching into the country’s waters, similar to Indonesia’s strong stance on such matter.
He said currently, confiscated fishing boats have become too many that the authorities found it burdensome to keep them.
“I am not sure about that policy (destroying the confiscated fishing vessels) yet. We leave it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and the Fisheries Department whether there is such a policy.
“However, under the current policy, we confiscated the boats, but now we have problem of keeping them. So, there is a suggestion that we should destroy them.
“We will get the advice from the AGC before it could be implemented,” Muhyiddin told the media after paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the latter’s office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
He was asked to comment on the recent spate between Progressive Democratic Party (PDP)’s president and Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and (Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), where Tiong accused the agency for being ineffective in tackling encroachment of foreign fishing vessels into Sarawak’s waters.
However, Muhyiddin assured that a joint task-force under ‘Operasi Naga’ which has been effectively implemented in Peninsular Malaysia, would be extended here and in Sabah.
“Now we are monitoring the situation here as well, especially involving Vietnamese fishermen. If there is evidence of their encroachment, similar operation will be extended here,” he said.
He said ‘Ops Naga’ which involved various ministries such as Ministry of Homes Affairs, MMEA, the Marine police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Fisheries Department has been successful in the issue in West Malaysia.
On another related issue, Muhyiddin said the Government will upgrade its assets from time to time as part of its effort to improve its services.
“If we have the budget, we will acquire more assets such as helicopters and boats as it will be part of the long-term plan. As of now, we use what we have,” he said. — DayakDaily
