The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) yesterday held a meeting with its management and monitoring of protected areas working committee to decide on the preparation of its Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for managing and monitoring the waters off Semporna, in line with the gazetting of 11 islands and two reefs declared as protected areas.

The islands are Pulau Sibuan, Mantabuan, Selakan, Gaya, Bohey Dulang, Kulapuan, Maiga, Sebangkat, Tentangan, Bohayen, Timba-Timba, the Sibangkat and Batura coral reefs and its surrounding waters.

ESSCom commander DCP Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the establishment of SOP was necessary to coordinate and create uniformity and regulations that would be enforced by various law enforcement agencies in the protected areas.

For the record, the gazetting of the protected areas has been approved through the provisions of Section 4, Protected Areas Act, 1959 (Act 298), which was signed by the Home Minister on Nov 13, 2015.

He said the gazetting of the islands was aimed to facilitate monitoring, and regulate the movements of any boats or individuals who passed through the area by security forces.

“The area proposed is suspected to be the main entrance of cross-border criminals to enter Semporna waters to commit crimes of kidnapping and robbery at sea.

“This is a very appropriate time for us to enforce this rule. Other than to increase the level of safety, it also aims to protect the area from activities such as fish bombing that can damage habitat and ecosystems, including coral reefs and other marine life that can contribute to economic development and biodiversity of the area,” he said in his welcome remarks while chairing a meeting of the Management Committee and Monitoring of Protected Areas at the District Office.

Also present were District Officer cum co-chairman of the committee Dr Chacho Bullah, State Attorney General Datuk Mariati Robert, ESSCom Maritime Enforcement Chief of Staff Admiral (M) Karunanithi a /l Munusamy, ESSCom Special Investigations and Technical Chief of Staff SAC Awang Besar Dullah, district police chief Supt Peter ak Umbuas, Tawau Region Maritime Enforcement chief Maritime Captain Anor Jafar and Sabah Headquarters D5 Legislative Staff Officer DSP Ang Seow Aun.

Abdul Bari said the results of a census in 2015, which was implemented by ESSCom and related agencies, found 88 percent of people living in the area consisted of non-citizens.

“This declaration will not alter any power structure, administration or existing ownership. It also aims to improve the effectiveness of existing enforcement.

“Other activities, including the cultivation of lands by land owners are allowed,” he said.

According to him, this declaration could be withdrawn if the state government or ESSCom considered it inappropriate or unnecessary.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Borneo Post

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