Latest news with #EnforcementAgencyIntegrityCommission
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Penang Fisheries Dept under scrutiny
There is something rotten in the Penang Fisheries Department. Despite repeated intrusions by trawlers operating outside their area of operations, the department failed to act, the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) disclosed on Monday. Complaints were plenty, but it appears that they were directed to EAIC after the Penang Fisheries Department failed to act. One such complaint was about it not wanting to take action even after video evidence was provided. If we need enforcers to police enforcers of the department, then it must be said to be in dire straits. The "rottenness" gets even stinkier as we dig deeper. The commission found that the Penang Fisheries Department was not adequately monitoring their enforcement officers. Here is a bombshell: only one inspection was conducted on the enforcement base in Batu Maung over a 12-month period. Strangely, the management wasn't aware of the day-to-day enforcement tasks carried out by junior officers and the operational constraints at the base. Even the enforcement logbook entries were not properly and completely recorded. Only one word can describe the state of affairs: pathetic. The findings can't be more scathing than this. It is hard to captain a ship when so many among the crew are bone idle, not to mention anything about their sloth and incompetence. But then again why allow so infectious an inertia and ineptitude onboard? An early internal audit could have disclosed the seriousness of the disease. A post-hoc audit is after the event, with much of the damage being done to the department. Be that as it may, the EAIC has recommended a letter of reprimand to the department's senior management, disciplinary action against the officer in charge of records and improvements to the complaint-handling protocols. Looking at the gravity of the breaches, EAIC appears to be going gentle when it comes to punishment. Is history repeating itself? It might well be the case if we consider the bad press the department has been facing as far back as several years ago. One such was the Auditor General's Report 2022, which highlighted weaknesses in the management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the country. Twenty-four MPAs in the state were said to have not been gazetted up to December 2022. To be fair to the department, there were 27 MPAs in other states in similar situation, with those gazetted having taken six to 11 years. The Fisheries Department in those states need to wake up from their deep slumber as the Penang one must do. They can't wait for the auditor general or EAIC to set the alarm. But sloth in other places isn't an excuse for the Penang Fisheries Department to replicate it in the state. It pays to follow the lead of a hare, not a tortoise. The wages of torpor is a gaping hole in government coffers. The captain has done well by responding rather quickly to the EAIC findings. Penang Fisheries Department director Zarina Zainuddin has not only acknowledged the scathing findings, but has vowed to beef up enforcement and tighten regulatory oversight. The country will be keeping a watch on her pledge.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Penang Fisheries Dept vows tougher action on trawler encroachment
GEORGE TOWN: The state Fisheries Department has pledged to enhance enforcement following the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission's (EAIC) recommendations on trawler encroachment on protected fishing zones. This came after an investigation revealed ongoing violations involving Zone B trawlers entering Zone A, in breach of Malaysian fisheries regulations. State Fisheries Department director Zarina Zainuddin vowed to implement a series of improvements to strengthen monitoring, regulation and enforcement in state waters. She said to ensure that enforcement was carried out more effectively, the department would intensify its management inspections. "Regular, unannounced visits will be conducted at enforcement bases to ensure that operations comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and directives," she said when asked by the 'New Straits Times' on the EAIC's findings today. "The department has already carried out surprise inspections in April and July 2024. Periodic checks will continue to assess staff attendance and adherence to operational guidelines." The EAIC found that the state Fisheries Department had failed to take appropriate action against repeated trawler intrusions. The commission had initiated an investigation following complaints, uncovering serious weaknesses in enforcement practices. The agency also found that the department had failed to adequately monitor its enforcement personnel in the state. Zarina said continuous internal audits had been introduced to improve documentation and transparency in enforcement logs. She said this included improving the record-keeping system for better operational clarity and accountability, aligning with the EAIC's recommendation to enhance the accuracy of daily records. She added that the department would organise comprehensive training and SOP enhancement programmes for its enforcement officers. "This is in line with the EAIC's call for better understanding and compliance with fisheries regulations. "A key reform that we have implemented is the review of our procedures for handling complaints, particularly those involving video evidence. "By streamlining the process, the department aims to expedite investigations, with new procedures now in place for reporting violations under the Fisheries Act 1985. "The department is now lodging police reports and initiating investigations into each complaint involving trawler encroachment on Zone A." Zarina said in 2024 alone, the department received seven video complaints regarding encroachment involving trawlers from Zone B1 and C. She said following these complaints, 13 trawlers were investigated and enforcement actions taken, including fines totaling RM6,000 and legal charges against violators. Zarina said the Fisheries Department also seized seven Zone C trawlers,with fines and auction proceeds amounting to RM41,200. Additional penalties included the suspension of fishing and vessel licences for one year, confiscation of fishing gear, a five-year ban on vessel ownership transfers and further legal action. The state Fisheries Department, Zarina added, expressed its appreciation for the EAIC's recommendations and remained committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure effective enforcement and uphold the principles of integrity and good governance.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
EAIC: Penang Fisheries failed to act on trawler breaches
KUALA LUMPUR: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found that the Penang Fisheries Department failed to take appropriate action over repeated intrusions by trawlers operating outside their designated zones. The commission said it had initiated the investigation following complaints received, uncovering serious weaknesses in enforcement practices. The EAIC is an independent watchdog established under the 2009 Act to monitor, investigate, and enhance the integrity of Malaysia's enforcement agencies. The agency found that the Department of Fisheries (DOF) had failed to adequately monitor its enforcement personnel in Penang. "Only one visit and inspection had been conducted at its enforcement base in Batu Maung over a one-year period," it said in a statement today. "DOF Penang management was also found to be unaware of the day-to-day enforcement tasks carried out by junior officers and the operational challenges faced at the base," it added. The EAIC also said that the department had failed to ensure that details in the enforcement log books were recorded completely and systematically by the officers responsible. As a result, the EAIC has recommended several measures to the DOF's department head, including a letter of reprimand to senior management in Penang and disciplinary action against the officer responsible for the incomplete logbook records. The commission also proposed improvements to the Department of Fisheries' (DOF) standard operating procedures (SOPs) in handling complaints, particularly those supported by video evidence, along with mandatory training and refresher courses to ensure compliance with enforcement procedures and departmental guidelines.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- The Sun
EAIC Refers AADK Drug Release Case to Public Prosecutor
PETALING JAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has concluded its investigation into allegations that National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) officers in Negeri Sembilan released drug addicts who tested positive during an operation two years ago. The commission had received a complaint alleging that AADK officers neglected their duties by releasing several individuals who tested positive for drug abuse during a raid at Kampung Felda LBJ, Labu, Negeri Sembilan, on March 8, 2023. The EAIC stated that this alleged act constitutes an offense under Section 211 of the Penal Code. 'EAIC decided to refer the investigation's findings to the public prosecutor in accordance with subparagraph 30(1)(c) of Act 700,' read the commission's statement. In addition to the referral for potential prosecution, the EAIC has also forwarded findings related to disciplinary offenses committed by the involved AADK officers to the Disciplinary Authority. This comes 'along with a recommendation for disciplinary action under subparagraph 30(1)(b) of Act 700.'
The Sun
10-06-2025
- The Sun
EAIC refers AADK drug addict release case to public prosecutor
PETALING JAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has concluded its investigation into allegations that National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) officers in Negeri Sembilan released drug addicts who tested positive during an operation two years ago. The commission had received a complaint alleging that AADK officers neglected their duties by releasing several individuals who tested positive for drug abuse during a raid at Kampung Felda LBJ, Labu, Negeri Sembilan, on March 8, 2023. The EAIC stated that this alleged act constitutes an offense under Section 211 of the Penal Code. 'EAIC decided to refer the investigation's findings to the public prosecutor in accordance with subparagraph 30(1)(c) of Act 700,' read the commission's statement. In addition to the referral for potential prosecution, the EAIC has also forwarded findings related to disciplinary offenses committed by the involved AADK officers to the Disciplinary Authority. This comes 'along with a recommendation for disciplinary action under subparagraph 30(1)(b) of Act 700.'
