Most of the fish bombing in Sabah is done by kids, says minister

Most fish bombings in Sabah are committed by children, state Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Junz Wong said. -BERNAMA

By Olivia Miwil - February 3, 2020 @ 5:18pm

KOTA KINABALU: Most fish bombings in Sabah are committed by children, state Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Junz Wong said.

“Ever since the last (fish bombing) incident in Semporna (which killed three scuba divers) last year, a committee chaired by the ministry has studied similar cases in depth.

“We found out that most fish bombing cases are committed by children.

“Therefore, bolstering enforcement will be an issue. How  (do you) arrest kids?” he told the press after the presentation of a certificate by The Malaysia Book of Records to Bayu Aquaculture Sdn Bhd here.

He was commenting on the Friday bombing incident which took place at protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, believed carried out by two men who fled the scene after noticing a group of 13 tourists present there.

Wong said that he did not discount the possibility of minors manipulated by certain parties to carry out the bombings.

Marine police had previously told the New Straits Times that the illegal activity was spurred by the influx of immigrants and certain parties had exploited them due to their poverty.

The fishing community, otherwise, was aware of the adverse effects of fish bombings that could, among others, affect their livelihood in the long-term.

“You cannot stop people from doing it if they are hungry. There are so many poor people in Sabah to the extent that their daily meals are just ‘basung’ (fish) and rice.

“I would rather believe that they are suffering from poverty. (Only) if they can fill their tummy and earn income, they will start thinking about it (stopping to bomb the fish).”

He said the state government had been working with local bodies and the United Nations in solving the issue.

Wong said the collaboration would look into a holistic approach to address socio-economic issues and educate the fishermen community in terms of the danger of fish bombing, and economic opportunities including aquaculture.