PARIT BUNTAR, Jan 4 (Bernama) — The Perak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) plans to build a special base for the Kerian district soon.
Its District 3 (Lumut) director, Zulinda Ramli said the special base was required to solve the problem of encroachment by trawler boats, thus theatening the livelihood of coastal fishermen in the Kuala Kurau, Kuala Bagan Tiang, Tanjung Piandang and Kuala Gula areas.
“The problem can be resolved with the existence of a forward operational post at a location which has not been identified yet along Ban Pecah Beach, Tanjung Piandang,” she told a press conference, here.
Zulinda said what was more shocking was the presence of tonto (lookout thugs) said to be watching every movement of the MMEA (Maritime Malaysia) vessels, thus derailing some of the operations against the illegal activities.
“The Kuala Kurau base is a bit hidden from the beach area, hence facilitating watch by the tonto over our movements round the clock.
“Therefore, complaints from the coastal fishermen remain unresolved, thus creating a negative perception towards Maritime Malaysia,” she said.
Zulinda said besides working togeher with the Maritime District 2 (Penang), they also planned to build another forward base, the location of which had not been decided yet, to combat the trawler boat encroachment problem and illegal fishing.
— BERNAMA
