A booth at the Community Policing programme at Kg Indrasabah Balung yesterday.
TAWAU: All tourist, passenger and fishing boats have been warned to comply with the regulations set by the government as well as equip their boats with life-jackets and fire extinguishers while they are at sea.
Sabah Region Marine Police representative, DSP Abd Rahman Mat Hassan said various threats exist along coastal waters nowadays and thus far, a total of 194 detentions have been made by the marine police in Tawau.
He said 80 of the cases were categorised under the Customs Act, 48 under the Immigration Act and 18 under the Fisheries Act.
The cases included sea piracy, drug smuggling, controlled items smuggling, theft of tow engines, illegal entry, violation of licenses at fishing zones affecting the ecosystem and fish bombing activities.
Thus, it is important to strengthen the relationship between the marine police and the community in curbing these activities.
The community is encouraged to be the ‘eyes and ears’ to provide immediate information for further action taken by the marine police against social crimes.
He was speaking while officiating at the Community Policing prorgamme at Kg Indrasabah, Balung here yesterday morning.
According to him, Sabah Region Marine Police have 66 ships and patrol boats of various classes while Tawau Operation Base itself has seven patrol boats only.