(From second right) Lai and Ahmad Puzi jointly flag off the participants, witnessed by others.
MIRI : The Miri Deep Sea Fishing Tournament which was flagged off yesterday will help improve Miri’s economy though it is being held in a smaller scale this year.
The event is organised by Miri Anglers Club (MAC) in collaboration with Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Ministry of Tourism Sarawak, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Sarawak Fisheries Department and Miri City Council (MCC).
According to director general of Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Admiral Dato’ Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, though the number of participants for the event this year is small, it will still have effect on the local economy.
“Given the short notice to organise the event, I am impressed that the organiser managed to have 52 registered participants, including foreigners who came over to Miri just to take part in this tournament.
“Though the number is not big, this is a very good start. I am sure the next time the event is held, there will be more participants and more participating countries,” he said.
“The local and international participants can gather in Miri and share their knowledge in fishing with one another. Their visit to Miri will also indirectly contribute to the local economy,” he said.
Ahmad Puzi said this in his address at the flagging-off ceremony held at Marina Bay jetty yesterday.
Also present were Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai; Sarawak Maritime Director, First Admiral Ismaili Bujang Pit; Miri Maritime enforcement head First Admiral Abim Sungom; Fisheries Department Miri branch chief Abdul Rahman Hamdan; Miri Deputy Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf; MAC chairman Ting Thung Hing and the event’s organising chairman Aaron Abel Donald.
Lai who spoke earlier praised the organiser for the effort put in to hold the event, even though the notice given was quite short.
“I hope the collaboration between all those involved will continue, so that the event will become more successful and bigger in the future and years to come,” he said.
This year’s participants include anglers from Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and all over Malaysia who will be at the Luconia Shoal, off Miri until Sunday.