Shafie (seated centre) posing with Sukarti (seated fifth right), Ramli (seated fifth left) and senior police officers.
Updated.
KOTA KINABALU: The state government will consider to lift the ban on pump boats, especially in the east coast.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said he would bring up the matter for discussion and review with the police.
The ban of pump boats was enforced several years ago following numerous cross-border crimes, including kidnapping, along the east coast.
“We realise that pump boats are still being used by fishermen as part of their daily income.
“The state government does not want to deprive them of their income so we will look into the matter,” he said after attending a security briefing and breaking of fast with the Royal Malaysian Police at Masjid Nur Islam in Kepayan.
The event was officiated by Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
Also present were State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din and senior police officers.
Meanwhile, on the dusk-to-dawn curfew order imposed on the east coast, Shafie said it would continue as it was still important to reduce cross-border criminal activities.
Shafie also said he would look into tightening border security by ensuring that those who cross into Sabah from neighbouring countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia did so legally and with the proper travel documents.
He added that local communities should also work closely with security forces to strengthen state security.