Md Fauzi (second right) leads the cutting of a ‘pulut kuning’ (yellow glutinous rice) cake to mark the event.
MIRI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has succeeded in bringing down the number of cases involving illegal fishing and smuggling in Miri waters since last year.
MMEA District 13 (DM13) director Capt Md Fauzi Othman said the agency has not received any report or complaint from the public so far this year on any of the two illegal activities.
“There has been a significant drop in illegal fishing activities by foreign fishermen. We have carried out over 30 inspections (this year) and there has been no arrest thus far.
“However, we will continue to monitor the situation and we need cooperation from the public to give us information and feedback if they come across any illegal activity taking place in our waters,” he said when met at the MMEA DM13 Open Day yesterday, held in conjunction with the district’s 13th anniversary.
Md Fauzi said although there was no report on illegal fishing activities in Miri waters, the agency did receive complaints over the presence of a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel at Beting Patinggi Ali – also known as Luconia Shoals – located just 84 nautical miles off the coast here.
“We do send our ships there to show our presence, and there has been no disturbance by the CCG towards fishermen near Beting Patinggi Ali,” he said.
On the open day programme, Md Fauzi thanked all agencies and members of the public who had come to support the event.
Among the activities held were exhibitions by government agencies such as Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Miri Fisheries Department and Miri Insolvency Department, as well as a drawing contest for children.