Increase in illegal fishing platforms in Kudat waters: Esscom

KOTA KINABALU – Monitoring by the authorities has found an increasing number of “bagang’, or traditional fishing platforms, built illegally in the coastal waters of Kudat, said Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Hamzah Ahmad.

He said the situation was worrying as it could pose a threat to national security and the community in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).

Therefore, he said, Esscom would conduct an integrated Gasak Sea Operation against the bagang involving the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Sabah Parks, and the Sabah Fisheries Department by demolishing these illegal structures.

“The operation this Thursday will be conducted under Section 48 (1)(j) of the Sabah Parks Enactment 1984 Taman-Taman Sabah 1984 (2007 Amendment) and Section 11(3)(c) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and other related laws,” he added in the statement issued.

Hamzah said Sabah Parks and the State Fisheries Department would issue a notice on vacating and demolishing the illegal bagang during the operation.

“Any individual or other parties that have illegal bagang along the eastern Sabah coastal waters are advised to immediately vacate or pull down these structures before action is taken by the authorities,” he added.

Members of the public with information on illegal bagang in ESSZone waters can immediately report to the Esscom Operations Centre at 089-863 181 or via WhatsApp at 011-63311072. – Bernama, July 26, 2022