THE Sarawak coast guard unit will be made up of a force of 50 men and three patrol boats, Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said today.

However, the state security committee has yet to decide on the seagoing craft and armament the men should be equipped with.

The patrol boats will built by a Sarawak shipyard and would enter service sometime next year, he told reporters after opening Sarawak Agrofest in Petrajaya today.

In the just-concluded budget session of the state assembly, the state allocated RM90 million to the protection of its coastal areas, marine resources and marine parks from external threats and encroachment.

Abang Johari, who tabled the budget, said the coast guard unit would complement the maritime enforcement agency (APMM) and marine police in guard duty.

He said APMM faced problems sending their boats out on patrol due to fuel shortages and ageing boats that were not seaworthy and prone to breakdowns.

Abang Johari said he had assured APMM top brass that Sarawak would be able to procure the boats, as they were for the protection of the state’s coastline and fishermen.

He said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also asked Sabah and Sarawak to take the lead in developing the country’s deep sea fishing industry to reduce the huge food import bill.

Last year, the bill for fish imports came up to RM154 million.

“His (Dr Mahathir’s) rationale is that the South China Sea, which covers the all of Sarawak’s coastline and Sabah’s western coastline, has more fish resources compared to the Straits of Malacca.” – November 22, 2019.