S'kan-Zamboanga ferry service 'a security risk'
Published on: Sunday, July 03, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Secretary-General Datuk Johnny Mositun said the proposal to temporarily suspend the Sandakan-Zamboanga ferry service for security reason in the wake of the cross-border kidnappings is worth considering.He said such drastic measure will help protect Malaysians patronising the ferry service from becoming victims."Suspend first the weekly ferry service, then sit down with the operator and the relevant Philippine authorities to thoroughly discuss and identify the necessary effective security measures to be provided during the 18-20 hour sea journey," he said.
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The State Deputy Speaker said the suspension of the ferry service is not something new because the State Government has already suspended barter trade activities in all ports throughout the State over the problem.The Sabah Government also suspended all transhipment trade, including petroleum and gas products, in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) and deferred ferry services between Kudat (Sabah) and Palawan in the Philippines.The decision of the State Cabinet came in the wake of the kidnapping of four Malaysians near Ligitan Island, off Semporna, who were subsequently released by the Abu Sayyaf recently."The kidnapping of the seven Indonesian sailors by the Abu Sayyaf group recently in the Sulu Sea makes a review of Sandakan-Zamboanga ferry service necessary.
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"l do not wish to see gunmen boarding the Sandakan-Zamboanga vessel and pick out Malaysians during the sea journey just like they did when kidnapping the four Sarawakians last month on a barge in the Sulu Sea," Johnny said.It is understood that presently the vessel plying the Sandakan-Zamboanga route does not have enough security personnel and equipment onboard to protect passengers if attacked by armed groups during the night journey.
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Aleson Shipping Lines, the operator of the service with an appointed Sandakan-base ticketing agent, could not be contacted for comment.Johnny acknowledged that the suspension of the ferry service will result in negative economic effects on the part of the communities in neighbouring Southern Mindanao."It is the responsibility of the Malaysian Government to protect the interest and welfare of every citizen regardless of the consequences...therefore, the Philippine government and its people should take the necessary steps so as not to be economically isolated," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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