Dr Murni (seated, second left) displays a chart of the main routes under ‘Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2015’. He is joined by (from left) Chan, Jinep and Jerry.
SIBU: Some 160 enforcement personnel are involved in the first of a two-phase state-level integrated riverine ‘Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2015’ focusing on speed boats, from today until July 15.
Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) chairman Dr Murni Suhaili, who disclosed this yesterday, said it had identified several key routes with heavy movement of people for river patrol to be carried out and river blocks mounted.
SRB would be assisted by Marine Police, Marine Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), Civil Defence Department (JPAM) and Rela, he said.
“The second phase will commence from July 24 to 26 and among the main routes are Sibu to Sungai Kut and Dalat. Others are Sarikei-Paloh-Daro-Bruit and Sarikei-Tanjung Manis-Stalun-Belawai.
“We will check to ensure no overloading and adequate life jackets on board,” Murni, who is also Daro assemblyman,
said at the briefing for the state-level integrated festive riverine operation.
Meanwhile SRB controller William Jinep advised passengers not to board boats that had reached capacity.
Jinep urged boat operators to inform passengers where the life jackets were kept as fare-paying passengers had the right to demand for safety.
He disclosed that speed boat operators from Sarikei and downstream had applied for permits.
“They can obtain temporary permits (under 10P form) from us if they want to operate while waiting for the approval.
“Currently, there are three applications for speed boat permits,” he said, adding that they want to put in more boats in places with higher movement of people.
Asked the number of speed boats plying Sibu and downstream, SRB assistant controller (Region Two) Christopher Chan disclosed there are six plying Sibu-Dalat and vice-versa.
There are also speed boat services to Bruit, Paloh and so on.
The fare from Sibu to Dalat is about RM25 as fixed by the board, with stopovers charged based on distance.
Jinep revealed that they received complaints about people erecting nets along river, which could endanger passing boats.
Murni hoped that community leaders at the respective areas could advise those under their care to ensure that their nets would not stretch the full width of the river.
It is stated that Regulation 17 (2) of Sarawak Rivers (Traffic) Regulations, 1993 that: “No fishing trap or trawling, or other net shall be cast or placed in any part of the river so as to be, or likely to become an obstruction or danger to the navigation of any vessel”.
Other regulations to ensure no obstruction to other riverine users are Regulation 51 (1), Sarawak Rivers (Traffic) Regulations 1993, and Regulation 51 (2), Sarawak Rivers (Traffic) Regulations 1993.
Among those present were SRB assistant controller (Region Two) Christopher Chan and assistant enforcement officer Jerry Lenggir John Andrew.