DAP asks if MMEA lying about Viet boats
Published on: Sunday, September 11, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The suggestion by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) that the State has an agreement with a Vietnamese fishing company was not received well by Sabah DAP's Likas Assemblyman Junz Wong on Saturday. "Why would any officer simply tell lies to allow illegal Vietnamese fishing boats to go free. What is going on?" he asked. Wong said this following the State Government and Fisheries Department's denial that there had been any form of venture between Sabah and the Vietnamese on Friday.
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An MMEA spokesperson earlier confirmed a sighting of several Vietnamese vessels on State waters recently, stating there was nothing untoward due to an arrangement between the government and the Vietnamese fishing boat. Wong, who is also DAP Sabah Secretary wants Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin and Fisheries Department to launch a full probe on these alleged Vietnamese fishing boats and their illegal fishing activities. "Yahya should not simply close the case by just revoking the licences of these boats as it does not resolve the problem of illegal fishing activities in the State," said Wong, adding that the Fisheries Department should also reveal the owners of boats and charge them in court. He believed illegal fishing activities in Sabah are real and rampant, adding that visual proof along with footages of the foreign fishermen in operation had been seen.
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Furthermore, Wong said the presence of a group of Vietnamese crew, a Vietnamese fishing boat owner as well as boats had been confirmed by the MMEA. According to him, concerns have also been raised among the fishing boat communities here that like the Vietnamese, the Chinese might also be sailing into Sabah waters and obtain fishing licences via dubious means.
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Citing the lessons from Indonesian maritime authorities, Wong said the neighbouring country had already banned all foreign fishing boats as a way to curb illegal fishing activities in their waters. The Sarawak Government, he said is also using a high-handed policy banning all foreign boats from fishing in their waters. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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