GEORGE TOWN: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has proposed that the government consider giving a RM500 monthly marine allowance to 2,270 officers and members of its Marine Police Force (PPM).
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the PPM was the only unit under the Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) which had not been given any incentives since its establishment.
“I feel with the successes of the PPM, they are really eligible (for an allowance). Based on my experience while serving in Sabah for four years, I know how their lives and duties at sea are. The difficulties they face when they go out to sea to carry out their duties,” he said in a press conference yesterday.
Earlier, Abdul Hamid attended the 72nd Memorial Day Celebrations of the Marine Force at the Region One Marine Police Base in Batu Uban near here yesterday.
He said the proposal paper on the monthly allowance which is expected to amount to RM13.6 million a year, has been submitted to the Public Service Department for approval.
He said the proposal was made based on the job risks, increased cost of living, importance of service, and to deter corruption.
Separately, Abdul Hamid said the police had obtained the Chief Secretary to the Government’s consent to recover two PZ class boats from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to be posted to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom).
“The boats will boost marine presence in ESSCom areas on the east coast of Sabah. Both boats will be used as motherships and will be located in waters where there are frequent robberies and kidnappings,” he said.
“The presence of these boats will boost security along the east coast of Sabah,” he said.
Commenting on the proposal by the Sarawak state government to form its own coastal enforcement unit, Abdul Hamid said the PDRM welcomed the idea, but the state government should look at the legalities first before setting up the force.
He said if the proposal did not contravene the law, the police force had no problems with it and in fact welcomed the idea as it boosted the marine force in the state.
However, he said, so far, the department had not received any applications on the matter from the Sarawak state government.
On Oct 1, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg said the state was planning to form its own coastal enforcement unit under amendments to the State Fisheries Ordinance (2003) for better management of the coastal and river fishing industries in Sarawak. — Bernama