BINTULU, May 18: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Zone has intensified surveillance and enforcement on standard operating procedures (SOPs) at all jetties along Sungai Kemena and at sea especially along Bintulu coastal areas in the lead up to Hari Gawai Dayak which is only two weeks away.
Maritime Bintulu Zone acting director Commander Effendy Mohamad Fadil pointed out that some 90 MMEA officers and personnel had been readied in view of the festive celebrations this year, to carry out enforcement at sea on SOPs under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) which has been extended until June 7.
“The areas under surveillance are huge and require the full presence of MMEA to ensure the security in our seas.
“Maritime Bintulu Zone is also part of the task force comprising other enforcement authorities that is tasked to monitor and ensure SOP compliance at all passenger and vehicle jetties along Sungai Kemena Bintulu every day,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Effendy explained that several officers and personnel have been assigned to monitor the level of compliance with the tightened SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19 among operators and users of passenger boats and enforce the Infectious Diseases Prevention Act 1988.
“Maritime Bintulu will always ensure no breach of regulations among the local maritime community as well as intrusion by foreign boats while at the same time acting as the frontliner in enforcing SOP in Bintulu,” he added.
He thus reminded the maritime community in Bintulu District to prioritise their safety while at sea by putting on safety jackets and adhering to all instructions issued by the government at all times.
The MMEA also encouraged the maritime community to provide information or lodge reports on any suspicious activity as well as accidents at sea by contacting the MERS 999 hotline or Maritime Bintulu Zone Operation Centre (086-314254) and Sarawak State Maritime Operation Centre (082-432544) in operation for 24-hours. — DayakDaily
