More patrols on public beaches

Visitors enjoying the scenery at Pantai Batu Layar, Kota Tinggi. The public are advised to refrain from going into the sea during the monsoon season.

THE closure of public beaches in Kota Tinggi, Johor, will be carried out based on warnings issued by Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

Kota Tinggi district officer Datin Paduka Hazlina Jalil said the local council had also been alerted to increase enforcement patrols on those beaches to ensure no one was out swimming during bad weather.

“Red flags will be placed along Kota Tinggi’s beaches to alert the people about the water conditions including high waves.

“Although there has been no decision to close down the beaches during the monsoon season, legal action can be taken against those ignoring warning signage,” she said when contacted.

Those who ignore warning signs would be issued a compound and prohibited from entering public beaches under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), she added.

“There are 65 flood hotspots in Kota Tinggi, including Kampung Perpat, Kampung Hulu Hutan Lesong and Kampung Sedili Kecil, which were cut off from contact during the March floods.

“All villagers have been given food aid as early preparation for current monsoon season,” said Hazlina.

She said the Johor government had allocated RM200,000 in its Budget 2024 for community programmes in Kota Tinggi to benefit the grassroots.

“The aid can be used immediately to help victims affected by disasters,” she said.

Meanwhile, Penawar Fire and Rescue Department station chief senior officer Masri Ibrahim said its safety water and rescue team (Swart) was deployed this month.

“The team will be carrying out surveillance thrice a day on three public beaches in Kota Tinggi, namely Pantai Batu Layar, Pantai Tanjung Buluh and Pantai Tanjung Balau.

“These three locations have recorded the most number of drowning cases and the public will be advised to stay away from the sea during the monsoon season,” he said.

Daily patrols take place at 8am, 2pm and 6pm along beaches and rivers around the Penawar area, he added.

Sedili assemblyman Muszaide Makmor told StarMetro that Pengerang Municipal Council (MPP) had placed personnel at Tanjung Buluh beach to ensure no water activities were carried out.

“Unlike Jason Bay beach in Sedili, Tanjung Buluh experiences high waves and its shoreline is short and steep.

“The shoreline at Jason Bay beach is long and the water level is not deep even during high tide, so there is no threat there,” said Muszaide.

He, however, stressed that the public should still be on alert.

Sharing the same concerns is Tanjung Surat assemblyman Aznan Tamin.

“We have many camping sites at Pantai Punggai, Pantai Batu Layar and Pantai Tanjung Sepang, and we hope the public will remain on land and avoid going into the water,” he said.

He said the main issue in Tanjung Surat was fishermen being unable to go out to sea.

“They have reduced their activities to catching fish and lobsters by the shores,” Aznan said, adding that the price of seafood in the area had also increased.