KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to take more drastic measures, including shooting on sight, to curb the encroachment into Malaysian waters by foreign fishing vessels.
This follows the latest case of suspected fish bombing off Semporna, Sabah which claimed the lives of three people including two tourists from China, which is believed to be the doings of foreign fishermen.
Bagan Serai MP Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said the "shoot on sight" method could be an effective way to tackle the menace.
"Indonesian authorities had sunk foreign vessels before to deter them from encroaching its waters," he told the Dewan Rakyat during the debate on Fisheries (Amendment) Bill today.
Jelutong MP R.S.N Rayer said the problem was also rampant in Penang, where foreigners not only robbed the country of its marine resources, but also posed a danger to local fishermen.
Earlier, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during the question-and-answer session said a total of 511 vessels were inspected with 44 people detained during Op Naga carried out between May 2 and 31.
He added the joint enforcement committee, led by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and comprises the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Navy, marine police, Malaysian Marine Department and Department of Fisheries had commenced phase two of the operation on June 1, focusing on the east coast of the peninsula.
"The operation would continue until the encroachment activities by foreign fishermen on our waters are eradicated," he said in reply to a question by Ahmad Amzad Mohamed @ Hashim (Pas-Kuala Terengganu).
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said in efforts to tackle the influx of illegal immigrants in Sabah, the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) had taken several measures to step up security in the area.
“The security forces, especially those under Esscom will set up special lanes or sea check points/designated routes to monitor the movement of vessels or fishing boats in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
"(The enforcement agencies) would continue setting up Road Check Points (RCP) posts to deter the movements of illegal immigrants and criminals who attempt to enter the area, as well as making it a location or transit site to smuggle goods," he said in reply to another question by Jonathan Yasin (PH-Ranau).
Muhyiddin said checks on ferries and merchant ships, with the cooperation of Interpol, would also continue, while intelligence gathering would be carried out in collaboration with neighbouring countries, especially Indonesia and the Philippines.
He added inter-agency cooperation would also be enhanced to identify illegal immigrants' settlement and suspects, particularly those who could threaten the safety of the people and country.
Muhyiddin added based on information gathered, the security forces, particularly Esscom would continue the deployment of assets to curb the entry of foreign elements from encroaching and carry out crimes in Malaysian waters.