PUMP BOAT BAN NEXT YEAR

By : SANDRA SOKIAL

KOTA KINABALU: The ban on the use of pump boats between Sungai Nyamuk and Tawau will take effect next year. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman in disclosing this yesterday said the decision was made during the state Security Council meeting yesterday as they were believed to contribute to activities that could jeopardise Sabah’s security.

“The council will ban the use of pump boats between the area after Dec 31, 2012,” he told reporters after chairing the meeting at Wisma Innoprise, yesterday.

Musa disclosed that efforts would be carried out to beef up security measures in the state, both on land and at sea.

He said the security forces had been conducting integrated operations to ensure that the state’s security are protected.

“Operations to track down illegal immigrants will continue and the numbers of those deported to their countries of origin also showed an increase.

“Integrated operations involving the security forces and maritime will continue, especially at all entry points in Sandakan, Semporna and Tawau,” he said.

He however noted that in the first eight months this year, Sabah’s crime index showed a decrease of 510 cases or 11.21 per cent from 4,550 cases recorded between January and August 2011, to 4,040 cases during the same period this year.

On another development, Musa disclosed that efforts to develop tourism potentials on Sipadan Island would continue be carried out by the state government jointly with their counterparts in the federal.

“Entries into Sipadan Island are not allowed without the consent from Sabah Security Council, the Prime Minister’s Department and Sabah Parks,” he said. (BP)