SARAWAK TO ACQUIRE THREE MORE FAST PATROL BOATS TO GUARD MARINE PARKS
MIRI, July 18 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today launched six fast patrol boats of the Sarawak Coastguard, and said three more similar vessels would be acquired to enable the state maritime security control authority to guard eight marine parks.
He said the large-size Island-class patrol boats would allow for patrols over a longer period of time and distance to complement the work of the other state and federal enforcement agencies.
“We have to take care of our marine parks, and the effort will complement that of the other enforcement agencies,” he said at the launch of the six 25-metre-long vessels and the opening of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) command at Jalan Krokop Utama, here.
The marine parks gazetted in Sarawak are the Similajau National Park; Tanjung Datu National Park; Talang Satang National Park; Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park; Santubong National Park; Limbang Mangrove National Park; Bruit National Park and Luconia Shoals National Park.
Abang Johari said UKPS, following the opening of its command in Miri, will set up four more similar commands - in Telok Melano, Tanjung Datu; Tanjung Manis in the Sarawak central waters; Bintulu; and Lawas in the northern part of the state.
“This (opening of the commands) is being implemented in collaboration with the Public Works Department under the 12th Malaysia Plan to ensure that assets and personnel are located in strategic areas to provide the best service to the people,” he said.
A total of RM90 million had been allocated to UKPS in the 2020 Sarawak Budget to acquire the six vessels that are equipped with modern gear and a water jet propulsion system.
Besides security control, the vessels will also be used to enforce the state ordinances, assist in search and rescue operations, provide security during official events in the waters and assist other security agencies in their work.
-- BERNAMA
