The Fisheries Department has identified several locations along Miri River where Suluk fishermen are believed to berth their boats.

On Tuesday afternoon, department personnel conducted a survey with the help of local fishermen to spot areas the foreigners are using to try to avoid detection.

During the 45-minute boat ride from Miri river mouth to the Pujut Tanjung Batu area, fisheries personnel took photographs and noted the locations of five Suluk boats.

Fisherman Kamberi Bakar claimed that there were more such boats, which were probably out at sea at the time of the operation.

“Hopefully the authorities concerned can catch these foreign fishermen as they are smart and one step ahead of the enforcement agencies,” he told The Borneo Post.

He said last month photographs and locations of the foreign fishermen were given to the Immigration Department for further action.

“I’m not blaming Immigration, these Suluk are very clever in outsmarting the authorities after sensing that their movements were being monitored,” said Kamberi.

On Dec 19, 12 Suluks were nabbed by the Immigration Department during an operation at Kampung Wireless, Miri.

Over 2,000 Suluks and Bajaus were arrested by the authorities from several locations here in 2015.

They were later deported to the Southern Philippines.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Mohamad Abdullah

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