KOTA KINABALU: FOR Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Pajeri Ali, putting an end to fish bombing in Sabah is one thing he wants to achieve in his career, which has spanned 30 years.
The Sabah Marine Police chief said the problem had existed in the state when he was posted to Sabah as a patrol vessel officer in 1986.
“I’d served the force in Johor, Terengganu and Pahang, but never had I encountered fish bombing in any of the states.”
He said over the years, fish bombing had grown in Sabah, spurred by the influx of immigrants who saw the lucrative side of it.
“Making a home-made explosive is easy and cheap. One only needs to mix fertilisers with kerosene in a bottle, and ignite it with a detonator and fuse.”
Pajeri said although most of the culprits were immigrants and to a certain extent, the Bajau Laut (sea gypsies), they did not work alone.
“There are certain parties exploiting this group because they are poor and uneducated. To make a living, they take the easy way out by resorting to fish bombing.
“In the past, ‘bombed’ fish were used to make ikan masin (salted fish).
“We had arrested a mastermind, who provided detonators (to non-local fishermen). This is how we know that they were exploited,” he added.
He said the masterminds were usually locals, who bought fish from the fishermen and sold the catch at the wet market.
Pajeri said the culprits often conducted their activities in shallow waters, which have coral reefs and offshore oil platforms.
“The police have identified 36 fish bombing hotspots within the seven operational zones under its jurisdiction. These hotspots are in Labuan, Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau.”
Pajeri said tracking down fish bombers was a challenge, and for that, the marine police depended on tip-offs from the public, and at times would resort to going undercover to nab the culprits.
“If we come after them on
patrol boats, they will know and not carry out their activities. That’s why we sometimes disguise ourselves as fishermen and catch them red-handed.
“Nabbing fish bombers can be challenging and requires courage. They are aggressive and can threaten the lives of marine police personnel,” said Pajeri, adding that he had had some close calls.
During daily sea operations, Pajeri said marine police would conduct enforcement within 12 nautical miles of the coastal areas.
Anything beyond that is the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and navy, as they have assets that could move into deeper waters.
“Fish bombing is rampant in these areas, which is a concern because there are oil rigs and coral reefs, which can lead to serious loss (of marine life) and environmental damage.
“We hope through the collaboration with MMEA, navy and other enforcement agencies, we can address this problem effectively.”
The marine police are working with the Fisheries Department’s enforcement team to check fish sold at rural markets, as well as with Sabah Parks to deter illegal activities, including catching protected species and stealing corals in protected marine areas.
He had instructed his men to inspect lorries transporting fish as they had previously detained one loaded with bombed fish.
Fish bombing is punishable under Section 26 (1) (c) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957.
The offence, under the Fisheries Act, carries a maximum fine of RM20,000 or a jail term not exceeding two years or both, while the Explosives Act carries seven years’ imprisonment or a fine of RM10,000, or both.
Pajeri is calling for more
severe punishments as the current ones were not enough to
act as a deterrent.
He added that those found guilty, mostly illegal immigrants, would usually be handed a RM500 fine and a month’s jail, before they were handed over to the Immigration Department for deportation.
“Deporting the offenders may prevent them from carrying out the activity temporarily, but they would most likely return.
“Seeing the need for harsher punishments, the (Bukit Aman) Internal Security and Public Order Department director has given an instruction to the state marine commander to revisit all offences under these two acts and to make a recommendation (for more deterrent sentences).
“We recommend increasing the fines to between RM20,000 and RM100,000; or a jail term of between two years and 10 years, or both. We also propose giving two strokes of the cane to offenders,” said Pajeri.
To combat fish bombing, he said the use of pump boats should be banned.
However, he said such a mode of transport was important for locals.
“These culprits use small boats to go to areas with coral reefs. I hope the state government will find better ways to curb (pump boats) in Sabah waters.”