TAWAU: The chairman of the Tawau Fishermen's Association, Hasan Timbasal, has called on fishermen in the district, who have yet to register their fishing vessels to the authorities, to do so immediately.
He said there were still many fishermen in the district who had yet to register their boats to the authorities and hoped that they would do so to facilitate the security forces to identify vessels moving in the East Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
"We welcome the regulations enforced by the authorities to compel all vessels in the ESSZone to be registered. I hope the move can help in resolving the frequent cross-border crime committed in the East Sabah waters, thus protecting the sovereignty and security of the people of Sabah," he said.
Hasan disclosed this to Bernama when asked to comment on the enforcement of the new regulation compelling all boats or vessels in the ESSZone to be registered.
Last Wednesday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced five drastic measures to enhance the level of security in the east coast of Sabah, including the compulsory registration of all vessels to differentiate them from the boats used by cross-border criminals.
The move was taken following the abduction of a Chinese national from Guangzhao identified as Yang Zai Lin, 34, the manager of a company breeding fish in cages in Pulau Baik, Lahad Datu, at about 2.45am on May 6 by six armed men.
-- BERNAMA