Member of Parliament for P216 Bintulu Dato Seri Tiong King Sing suggested they should invest and build bigger fishing vessels that were equipped with modern devices for deep sea fishing besides applying for interest free loan from the government and diesel subsidy.

Tiong said he sympathized with the local fishing operators of their predicaments as they felt the rich marine resources should be harvested by local fishermen.

He said despite with the issuance of permits by the Federal Government to allow the advanced fishing vessels to take part in fishing activities in our Malaysia Fisheries Waters,  local entrepreneurs had repeatedly pointing out the abuses as those vessels used to encroach and operate within the restricted fishing zone.

Besides the foreign fishing vessels were reportedly sold the quality fish stock to overseas markets while dumped and sold the poor quality ones in domestic market at higher prices.

Tiong’s text of speech was read by President of Federation of Bintulu Registered Chinese Associations, Pau Chiong Ung at the 5th anniversary celebration of Sarawak Fishing Vessels Association , Bintulu Branch held at Mandarin Restaurant Sunday evening.

Tiong however, reminded the local entrepreneurs that they could not making complaints about the presence of foreign fishing vessels from operating in our waters, or appealing to government not to issue or renew the permits to those vessels, yet they themselves did not make an effort to acquire or purchase deep sea fishing vessels for operation.

“ With the long coast lines of the State of Sarawak, it is impractical to  expect our enforcement agencies like Marine Police or Marine Fisheries to keep round the clock surveillance on those foreign fishing vessels ,”remarked Tiong.

Among those present at the function were Chairman of Sarawak Fishing Vessels Association, Wong Hung Teng, Bintulu Marine Police Chief DSP Chris Goh, Head for Fisheries Department Bintulu District Kam Jeongand chairman of  Bintulu branch chairman ,Tie Sing Hook.