A Sarawak Coastal Guards base should be set up in Kidurong Industrial Zone or Samalaju Industrial Park to secure and monitor the Bintulu coastline.
Majang Renggi (GPS-Samalaju) stated that this was necessary to complement the functions of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Marine Police in safeguarding Sarawak waters.
“The coasts of Bintulu and Samalaju have similar conditions. They not only host the main industries such as oil, gas and other heavy industries, but also have two deep seaports — Bintulu Port and Samalaju Industrial Port. They also have natural beauty and abundant marine life.”
He said this when debating on the state budget in the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
He also mentioned that Sarawak’s coastal zone is home to about 80 percent of the population, directly and indirectly depending on its environment as a source of livelihood.
“Dynamic, diverse and complex environmental factors influence the sovereignty of the Sarawak coastline.
“These do not only refer to intrusion by militants or pirates but also smuggling syndicates and fishermen from foreign countries,” he said.
