Enforcement in Malaysia-Singapore waters needed to protect local fishermen, urges Johor assemblyman
NOR AZURA MD AMIN21 Aug 2023 05:00pm
The boat involved in the incident with Singaporean authorities.
Kota Iskandar state assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad said a base for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) could be established on Pulau Merambong, located in the Tebrau Strait.
"I will bring a motion to the state assembly next month. Country's soverign should not be meddled with and stern action through enforcement is neccesary," he said.
He expressed shock over the denial by neighbouring country yesterday, however, he said Maritime Malaysia has confirmed and objected over the encrochments.
"I would not take sides with local fishermen if it is proven that they encroached on the waters of the neighboring country," he told Sinar when contacted.
However, Pandak said stern action should be taken on the neighbouring country after confirmation of encroachment to protect the rights of Malaysians.
He said a special motion on Pulau Merambong need to be held to carry out remapping of Singapore-Malaysia waters, especially along the Tebrau Straits.
"The mapping could be carried out by Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia to protect nation's sovereignty and further prevent harm to local fishermen.
On Sunday, Singapore Police Force (SPF) refuted claims that Malaysian fishermen were chased away by Police Coast Guard (PCG) to catch fishers on Aug 14.
SPF in a statement said the incident took place in Tuas within Singapore's waters. It further said during 6.55am incident on Monday while PCG boats were carrying out patrols within their waters.
On Wednesday, four fishermen from Kampung Pendas, Iskandar Puteri claimed that Singapore authorities had destroyed their shrimp nets while the were setting the netting at Tebrau Straits, last Monday.
In the 7am incident near second link bridge, it was reported that a vessel from the neighbouring country had collided with the shrimp nets while they were setting up the nets.
Fisherman from Kampung Pendas, Faizan Wahid, 42 reported that during the incident he and another three fishermen were in the midst of setting up their nets.
