By Zaki Salleh
Photo: Maritim Perak
LUMUT: The safety of fishermen at sea is always a priority for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).
This includes concerns from local fishermen about the threat of robbery and extortion at sea.
The Director of Perak Maritime, Maritime Captain Mohamad Shukri Khotob, stated that incidents of robbery or extortion at sea are not acts of piracy as often portrayed.
He explained that confusion in the use of terms could cause unnecessary concern among the maritime community and the public.
“We advise all local fishing boats to always comply with regulations by conducting fishing activities only in Malaysian waters.
“At the same time, we urge fishermen to provide accurate and timely information to allow enforcement actions to be carried out more effectively,” he said.
Earlier, the Perak APMM held a dialogue session with the Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Pantai Remis, Wong May Ing, and local fishermen representatives.
This was to find solutions to the issues of detention and extortion faced by local fishing boats in the country’s waters.
The discussion also emphasized the importance of close cooperation between fishermen and authorities to ensure the safety and sustainability of fishing activities.
