Use social media, maritime community told
Published on: Tuesday, March 01, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The local maritime community has been encouraged to use social media, particularly WhatsApp in channelling information for quick and accurate action from security enforcement agencies. Region Two Navy Commander Rear Admiral Datuk Khairul Anuar Yahya said it was a good way to alert security forces should they need any assistance or come across suspicious activities while at sea. He brought up the idea during a Rakan Komuniti Maritim (Rakam) programme organised by the navy to engage with the local maritime community in the area.ADVERTISEMENT Calling cards with emergency contact numbers were also distributed to the 35 participants who attended the programme which included a dialogue session. "I believe a majority of us, including fishermen, have handphones installed with cameras, and all they have to do is to take photos, note down the boat registration number as well as the date and time of incident before sending it to us," he said. He said some fishermen might not have Internet connection while at sea, but they can always send it once they have coverage. "They can either contact us via the emergency number stated on the calling card, or channel information to us via WhatsApp," he said. ADVERTISEMENT On another note, he hoped for an understanding from local maritime community in the area especially when it comes to fishing in a restricted area like the naval base. "When the area is designated as a restricted area, it means there are important aspects near the base which is highly sensitive, we have conducted regular patrols to stop encroachment into our area and fishermen found entering the base will be ordered out," he said.
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He said this in response to a request from a Kg. Gentisan representative Mohd Salleh who hoped for leniency to be given to local coastal fishermen. During the dialogue session, Salleh said fishermen in Gentisan and Kuala Manggatal go out to sea between 5.30pm and 7pm and again between 5.30am and 6.30am. He said the waters off the naval base has always been their fishing spot before the base was set up and hoped they would be allowed to fish in the area during the stated period. "Authorities have always restricted us from fishing in the area, we sail about 100 to 200 metres from shore to catch fish and have never gone further than that," he said. In response, Submarine Force Commander Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob who was also present said the navy has a responsibility to ensure the country's important assets are taken care of. "For us to give leniency, might not be an option because if we open to everyone, there is a possibility of being exposed to numerous threats."We know that we have high value assets in the naval base, our nation's strategic asset which is worth billions and missiles worth hundreds of millions are kept here."We cannot risk having boats which could be equipped with fish bombs or those with intentions to sabotage coming in here because it can damage our military resolution, Kota Kinabalu has a base with among the highest valued assets not only in Sabah but in the country. "We are also in a dilemma, while we are concerned for the wellbeing of the local maritime community, we also have to ensure our security assets are safeguarded, I hope there will be a balance here and understanding," he said. The programme was officiated by Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad who urged the local maritime community to cooperate with the security enforcement agencies and not to be in cahoots with foreigners by allowing them to fish in the area. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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She also agreed with the use of WhatsApp application to channel information. Also present were Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Regional Operation Director First Admiral (Maritime) Adam Aziz, State Fisheries Department Enforcement Chief Mohd Yusoff Abdullah and State Marine Police Chief ACP Mohamad Madun among others.