KUALA TERENGGANU: Eight tourist boats were ordered to turn back by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) after it was found that the number of passengers exceeded the capacity.
Terengganu MMEA director Maritime Kpt Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said the offence was discovered when the agency carried out 95 inspections through Operasi Anai-Anai Laut in the waters of Besut, Merang in Setiu and the islands in the area over a period of five days beginning Sunday (Sept 4).
He said besides being ordered to turn back and reduce the number of passengers according to the capacity, boat operators were also given a stern warning.
"The boat operators are taking advantage of the school holidays by offering daily packages from Kuala Besut in Besut, Pantai Penarik and Merang in Setiu and ignored the safety of passengers due to the high demand.
"The attitude of making profits to the point of carrying excessive loads of passengers can result in tragedies," he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 9).
On another matter, Muhammad Suffi said Operasi Anai-Anai Laut was launched to step up enforcement by increasing the readiness of assets, personnel, and enforcement, especially in tourist areas such as beaches and resort islands around Terengganu.
He said the operation would be carried out every year beginning this year following greater challenges from increased traffic.
"Generally, search and rescue operations showed an increase in Terengganu with 17 cases registered from early 2022 to date, compared with 10 cases last year (during the same period) in the Terengganu waters.
"What is so worrying is the number of lives and properties lost," he added. - Bernama
