I agree with the urge by Arsani Arsat, the president of Sabah Fisheries and Fishing Boat Joint Association to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) to protect fishermen as well, not just tourists, as the fishermen have become the latest target for the cross border kidnappers.
Yesterday, the Sabah Fisheries and Fishing Boats Joint Association has proposed that one or two security personnel be deployed on at least 30 per cent of the fishing vessels operating at sea, especially those in Darvel Bay, the waters near by Lahad Datu, Kunak and Semporna.
Dear all ESSCom high ranking offcials, please listen to the people and cooperate with them positively. Don’t always ask the people to just follow your instructions. The industry players might know better which measures protect them most.
The fishing industry had plummeted since the last two months, as about 60 boats refused to fish as the crew members, mostly foreign workers, were afraid of the kidnapping incidents which targeted them, and thus refused to fish in Darvel Bay.
The losses estimated involved is huge, about RM5 million for these two months. You can see many vessels parking at the jetty. Fishing industry has suffered with the no productivity.
In contrast with the depressed fishing industry, the tourism industry in Semporna continues to welcome influx of tourists, especially those from China, as their National Day “Golden Week” just started.
Tourists feel their security are protected, following the deployment of security personnel at tourist spots in East Coast of Sabah. Our own Malaysians should not be left out, ESSCom should not just look after foreign tourists. Tourism and fishery industries are both important.
On the Automatic Identification System (AIS), I think it’s just analogical with CCTV installed in houses and business premises.
AIS alone can’t guarantee zero cross border kidnapping cases. It is similar with CCTV alone can’t protect people, policemen must do their job, such as patrolling. Do ESSCom practice patrolling in the area which curfew extended?