KUALA TERENGGANU: The beautiful but dangerous waters of Batu Burok beach here are now safer for visitors, thanks to the watchful presence of a horse-mounted and all-terrain vehicle-driving vigilante organisation.
The Emergency Action Force of Malaysia has begun weekly patrols of the beach, on horse-back and all-terrain vehicles, during peak periods of between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays.
Though its beauty makes it a tourist magnet, Batu Burok harbours treacherously deep shores, strong currents and high waves which make it hazardous for swimmers.
The force’s Terengganu chief, Marshal Datuk Ramli Embong, said that plans are afoot to increase patrol frequency – but this is contingent on budgetary allocations.
“As a volunteer outfit, we depend on allocations from the Prime Minister’s Department, under whose purview we come.
“Nevertheless, we are not short of volunteers, with an estimated 250 members in Terengganu, out of the 10,000 nationwide,” he said after the official launch of the force’s horse-back and all-terrain vehicle patrol at Batu Burok.
Present was the force’s national deputy principal chief Staff Marshal, Major (Honorary) Dr Abdul Nasir Md Noor.
Ramli said that despite warning signs erected along Batu Burok beach, visitors often disregard advice and take a risk swimming there, resulting in many drownings over the years.
“Our main task is to maintain the safety and security of visitors, especially first-time ones who are unaware of the serious dangers of swimming here.
“Accidents, especially fatal ones, will work against the state’s efforts to promote tourism, as Terengganu’s beautiful beaches and idyllic islands are major attractions,” said Ramli.
Dr Nasir said that the force also consists of other components, like trained paramedics and disaster-assistance crew who are deployed in times of need.
“We act as a complementary outfit to assist other enforcement, emergency and disaster relief agencies,” said Dr Nasir.