KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar wants the authorities to step up patrol efforts in Johor waters to prevent the discharge of marine fuel that could lead to sea pollution.
Referring to the recent oil spill at the Tanjung Balau and Batu Layar waters in Kota Tinggi, he said the occurrence would have a negative impact on the ocean and marine life, apart from affecting the fishermen’s source of income.
“The authorities must enhance patrol to curb the act of discharging waste by tank vessels as it would leave negative effects,” Sultan Ibrahim told Royal Press Office on Saturday (April 20).
He said the authorities needed to impose hefty penalties on those responsible for such acts.
Johor Marine Department had on Thursday found 300 tonnes of marine fuel oil covering a distance of 10km in Tanjung Balau and Batu Layar waters, with some of the fuel reaching a nearby beach.