On May 29, 2015, the DAP received a complaint from Yap Ho Choon, the owner of a C class trawler operating out of Pangkor. On May 20, 2015, he received news that his boat had been taken by the Indonesian authorities.

At a press conference held by Pusat Komuniti Teluk Intan DAP, Yap expressed his disappointment that the Malaysian authorities have given him the runaround over his predicament and said nothing can be done with regard to his boat. The authorities inaction is unacceptable if it is true the vessel was in Malaysian waters and we urge the authorities to act on the complaint and not shrug off their responsibilities.

The lack of concern shown by the authorities is shameful. The authorities must immediately take action and investigate the incident and contact the Indonesian authorities as the integrity of Malaysia’s sovereignty is as stake. If the vessel was taken in Malaysian waters it means the intrusion was actually on the part of Indonesia into Malaysian waters.

In 2013, Perak was the number 1 state in Malaysia in the fishing industry followed by Sarawak and Kelantan. The fishing industry is crucial to Malaysia as fish is consumed by almost all Malaysians.

Sadly, many local fishermen operating C2 class vessels meant for deep seas were suffering as not only had the diesel subsidy for these fishermen been taken away, the diesel they purchase is subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Twenty percent of all catches landed came from boats operating in the deep seas. The price of diesel for C2 vessels now stands at RM1. 95 as opposed to subsidised fuel at RM1. 65 per litre. By removing such subsidy and subjecting C2 vessels to GST, it is only going to cause the price of fish to escalate.  

We urge the minister responsible, Agriculture and Agro-based industries Minister Ismail Sabri, to answer how he can justify blaming traders for the high price of goods when the government is causing the price of fish to increase indirectly and the ministry responsible must review this policy.

Other than that, the blatant intrusion into our territories lately is proof that something is not right in the matter of protecting our borders. The discovery of 28 death camps in Perlis, this intrusion by Indonesian authorities in to our waters affecting our fishermen, and the endless intrusion and kidnapping in Sabah shows the Malaysian authorities and Home Affairs Ministry have failed tremendously in protecting our borders.

Instead of policing our politicians, academicians, legal practitioners, foreign and local activists, the ministry must focus on ensuring Malaysians are safe from outside threat and ensure our nation’s sovereignty.

TERENCE NAIDU is the DAP state assemblyperson for Pasir Bedamar, Perak.