KOTA KINABALU: The state government must come up with more serious measures to stamp out fish bombing activities within Sabah waters.
Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief Datuk Hajiji Noor said the activities are not only threatening and destroying the fish source and coral reefs, but also endangering the life of tourists, especially those who scuba dive in the coral reef areas.
He said awareness programmes that involve local community leaders must also be stepped up.
“Community leaders in areas where there are frequent fish bombing activities need to be educated on the importance of looking after the marine resources and stamping out the menace collectively.
“I hope the government will intensify efforts to catch illegal immigrants in the state who are involved in the illegal activities, and sent them home.”
Last year, two divers from China and their diving instructor, a local, were killed in a fishbombing incident in waters off Pulau Kalapuan in Semporna.
WWF-Malaysia had also recorded 1,195 blasts from June to December of 2018 in Semporna.
Former Chief Judge of Malaysia Tan Sri Richard Malanjum recently ticked off the state Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Datuk Junz Wong, following the latter’s statement that those involved in fishbombing activities were just children.
According to him, instead of offering lame excuses, the state government must show urgency in protecting the environment, in particular against acts that destruct coral reefs, which would affect Sabah’s tourism.