KOTA KINABALU: Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) is looking at colour coding pump boats as a way to better manage and monitor encroachment of foreign boats into Sabah waters.
Its commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali said authorities are also looking at re-registering the pump boats and issuing permit to owners.
“I’ve proposed to the state government and other security agencies to colour-code pump boats based on its zone (district within Eastern Security Safety Zone) for easy identification.
"Each pump boat will also have registration number, so we know who the owner is.
“We don’t want to completely ban pump boats because it is also being used by locals. What we want is to prevent the illegal entry of foreign pump boats into our waters,” he told reporters.
Hazani noted the National Security Council, Marine Department, and Port and Harbour Department would look into the mechanism, adding that the implementation is expected to take place next year.
He added that currently, the security situation is under control.
“We will ensure there is no (cross-border crime) cases, but I cannot say 100 per cent because kidnapping and robbery can happen when there’s opportunity. So, chasing after the cross-border criminals is like a cat and mouse game but we’ll do our best to maintain safety.”
Earlier, Hazani briefed Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and state cabinet ministers in a closed-door meeting at the Sabah Legislative Assembly Building, before the state assembly sitting commenced at 10am.
The one-hour meeting discussed on the current security situation and measures taken to intensify safety in the east coast of Sabah.