Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn
SIBU: Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) yesterday warned express boat operators of stern actions should they hike their fares without the consent of the board.
SRB chairman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn gave the warning in reaction to the decision of Sarawak 3rd, 6th, 7th Division Express Boats Association to increase express boat fares, starting yesterday.
Sagah said SRB officers would meet up with the association over the matter.
Association chairman Lau Hieng Choon has said that all association members have consented to the hike.
Sagah, who is also State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker and Tarat assemblyman, responded: “It is illegal for them to do so without applying to SRB.
“So far, we have not received any application for the fare increase.”
He cautioned: “If there is evidence to suggest that they (operators) have unilaterally increased the fare, then they have committed an offence.”
He said flouting of regulation 66 of Sarawak Rivers Traffic Regulations 1993 was punishable with a RM2,000 fine or two years in jail for the first offence.
The fine is RM5,000 for subsequent offence.
“Individual companies or operators may apply for an increase in the fare,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, the destinations affected as reported were Sibu, Daro, Tanjung Manis, Kapit, Baleh, Belaga, Pulau Bruit, Pulau Poro and Sarikei.