KUCHING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency will organise the Raja Tenggiri fishing competition on June 18.

Sarawak MMEA deputy director of operations, Capt (M) Yousry Yaali said the main purpose of the competition was to create safety awareness, especially among those going out to sea.

“MMEA has officially taken over search and rescue operations or better known as SAR, together with other agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), and to commemorate this, MMEA will organise a Maritime Safety Awareness Day every June 6.

“The fishing competition is one of the programmes organised together with the Sarawak Fishing Community Association, Department of Fisheries Sarawak (JPLS), Bomba, Marine Operations Force (PGM), Marine Department Malaysia (Jabatan Laut) dan Sarawak Coast Guard,” he said here today (June 8).

He added that on the day of the competition, all participants are required to use safety jackets, indirectly educating them, especially fishermen, to prioritise safety.

“A safety exhibition will also be held, including a demonstartion on how the Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) device works in the event of an emergency.”

First place is RM3,000 while second and third place winners get to walk away with RM1,500 and RM1,000 respectively.

For further details, the public can contact Sarawak Maritime Operations Room or Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Kuching at 082-432544 or 082-432006.