SOP to monitor Semporna waters
Published on: Thursday, May 19, 2016
Semporna: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) on Wednesday decided to come up with a standard operating procedure to manage and monitor the waters here to better monitor the 11 islands and two coral reef areas which were declared as restricted areas last year. The islands are Pulau Sibuan, Mantabuan, Selakan, Gaya, Bohey Dulang, Kalapuan, Maiga, Sebangkat, Tetangan, Bohayen, Timba-Timba, Terumbu Sibangkat and Batura coral reef as well as its surrounding waters. Esscom Commander DCP Dato' Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the standard operating procedure is needed to coordinate and create uniformity of various rules which will be enforced by enforcement agencies involved in the restricted areas.
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He said this during a Management and Monitoring Work Committee Meeting on restricted areas in the Semporna waters held at the district office, here. Also present were District Officer Dr Chacho Bulla, State Attorney General Datuk Mariati Robert, Esscom Maritime Enforcement Staff Chief Karunanithi Munusamy, Esscom Technical and Special Investigations Staff Chief SAC Awang Besar Dullah and District Police Chief Supt Peter Umbuas. Abdul Bari said the move to declare these islands as restricted areas is to allow for better monitoring and control by security enforcement teams on boat movements or individuals sailing or in the area. The locations are suspected to be main entry points for cross-border criminals to enter Semporna to commit crime such as kidnapping or robbery at sea.
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"It is high time for us to enforce this rule…apart from beefing up our level of security, it will also protect the areas from fish bombing activities," he said. He said fish bombing activities not only damage the habitat and ecosystem but also destroy coral reefs and other maritime habitat which is the main contributor to the economic and biodiversity development in the area.
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The declaration of restricted area was approved in accordance to Section 4 of the Restricted Area Act 1959 (Act 298) signed by the Home Affairs Minister on Nov 13, last year. Abdul Bari said results from the census conducted by Esscom and agencies involved last year, a total of 88 per cent of the population living in the area comprise those with non-Malaysian status. He said the declaration will not change any power structure, administration or existing ownership, in fact it is meant to enhance the effectiveness of the existing enforcement. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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