Razaili Gapor
Encroachment by foreigners into Sarawak waters must be stopped
KUCHING: A government backbencher has called for sea patrols to be intensified to deter encroachment by foreign fishing vessels.
Razaili Gapor (BN- Beting Maro) said encroachment by foreigners into Sarawak waters was increasing and must be stopped.
He said Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Fisheries Department and Marine Department should intensify the patrols.
“Encroachment by foreign fishing vessels not only jeopardises the safety of our local fishermen and the country, but also affect the livelihood of fishermen. Sea patrols by the relevant authorities must be intensified to put a stop to such activities,” he said when debating a motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s speech yesterday.
According to Razaili, the catch of the local fishermen was depleting due the presence of foreign fishermen whom he described as irresponsible and greedy.
Stressing that local fishermen were getting much attention from the government, he hoped that MMEA could furnish statistics on the number of foreign fishermen caught and the amount of seizure in the past five months.
He also told the house that the elevation of Pusa into a district was very much welcomed and one that was meeting the aspirations of the local people to enjoy better services.
“The setting up of the new district (Pusa) will definitely facilitate better communication between the government and the people of Beting Maro.”
This, he added, would transform rural areas of which Pusa was one.