Worrying rise in oil rig intrusions, bombings

Kota Kinabalu: New Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) will be drawn up to tackle the worrying increase in intrusions at oil rigs off Sabah by fishermen, some of whom carry out fish bombings that can endanger the lives of oil and gas personnel."We will look into legal aspects of agency cooperation reference terms to minimise and reduce this problem.

"That is why we are here today on board Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) asset to look closely at the situation," State National Security Director Datuk Rodzi Md Saad told a press conference, Wednesday.

Rodzi said a workshop would be held between the operators and government agencies and the community is also urged to play their role and keep in mind that fish bombing is illegal and should not be continued under any circumstance, he said.

There have been discussions with Fisheries Department and Fishermen's Association but it is not enough to tackle intrusions and fish bombing activities.

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"The blame is not on the fishermen alone as not all of them are well versed that their activities are against Malaysian laws," he said.

Sabah and Labuan Regional Director First Admiral Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the trending cases of fishermen intrusions are worrying as this year alone has seen 773 cases near some 17 oil rigs off the west coast.

These were cases where the fishermen were less than 500m radius and what is more worrying is that some of them were carrying out fish bombing activities.

"This is very dangerous not only to the lives of the fishermen, but also the workers on the oil rigs," he said.

He said the fishermen involved are some local and foreigners.

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"These illegal Immigrants who are living here in Sabah are paid by buyers to fish at these restricted points namely the oil rigs," he said.

Zubil said patrolling itself is insufficient as there are limited resources to put assets at the oil rigs round the clock. - Jeremy S. Zabala

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