Divers Stranded When Tourist Boat Flees After Gunfire
Earlier this week, 2 tourists were enjoying some diving from the boat of Loh Khoy Lee. According to Lee, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency officers signalled to him, requesting radio communication. However, Lee's radio was damaged so he couldn't respond. Then, the unthinkable happened: the Enforcement Officers fired shots on Lee's boat, causing him to flee the area -- and leave the divers!
Lee said about one hour later he and his crew returned to the spot and collected the bewildered divers.
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Ai yo yo! Is it safe to dive in Malaysian waters? I think from now on I have to carry a SMB (surface marker buoy) which says "Please don't shoot, I'm a Malaysian Diver" On second thoughts, maybe not. They might use it as target practice.
It's a pity the article did not say exactly where this incident took place. I suppose to a certain extent, I can understand why the officers opened fire. I found out some time ago that the waters around Malaysia are infested with pirates. Remember the Abu Sayaff pirates aka Muslim freedom fighters from the Phillipines that kidnapped the divers from Sipadan Island? Well, I was at the very same spot only 12 months before. Could have been me.
Forget the SMB. Perhaps I should carry a harpoon to protect myself!
6 comments:
Er... the storyline here is a bit off. I know Lee personally & got the real event story frm him. The enforcement officers came in a smaller boat called out for the captain (Lee). They came with guns & acted very hostile.
They claimed that they've tried to contact Lee via radio & shooting air signal the day before, however, Lee wasn't aware of it then. They continued with their diving activities at a new dive site, and later returned to Jarak Island for shelter & more diving activities there. Lee's been going to that island for several years and never had any problem wth the local enforcement cos he's had the necessary travel documents all the time.
Anyway, those officers shouted at Lee & commanded him to bring his ship & follow the mother boat back to mainland. Lee told them he still has 2 divers in the water & will need to pick them up FIRST before he can leave the island with them.
Immediately, one of the officer shot a few rounds into the water. Imagine if the divers were right underneath them in shallow level! They told Lee it's Lee's problem for having the divers in the water & to leave them there! What an irrational comment! Bah!
Somehow, Lee managed to get the divers up & followed the mother boat to the mainland. His liveaboard was treated badly upon arrival to the mainland. It suffered severe damage (as it's wooden) after being rammed by bigger steel ships that's parked next to the liveabaord. No compensation was given for all the damages.
Lee went to report to the police right after he (and everyone on board) got released 24 hrs later. When the police conducted the investigation, no one from the maritime enforcement was willing to admit of the shots fired! Lee & his crew couldn't find the officer who did it when they were to ID the personnel. Somehow, the guy went into hiding & the head of the department denied the existence of this guy!
There are more details but I couldn't quite remember them, so I won't write it here.
Poor Lee...
Asther,
Thanks for giving the real details of the event. It is however very worrying that government officials are so trigger happy. I wonder if this is symptomatic of the authorities in Malaysia. So eager to exercise authority, without judgement and above all, no accountability.
Was thinking of going to Pulau Jarak for a liveaboard at some stage, but perhaps I should stay away, huh?
Well... I believe it's the lack of education & ethical values among the authorities personnel which made them act that way. I'm never a fan for Malaysian authorities, hence, they don't get my respect much.
I remembered being always fearful of the local authorities, until I went to the U.S for 2 years. That's when I felt SAFE whenever the local authorities there were around. I never feel safe with the ones here in Malaysia.
Well... Lee's boat was the one & only that operates diving activities there for the past 2 years. He's been exploring that island for more than 5 yrs. My first visit there was back in 2000 on another liveabaord, b4 Lee's started his operation.
I wonder if Lee's returning there this year. Else, I wonder if there will be another operator willing to explore Jarak again.
Where does Lee operate his liveaboard from? I read from Kurt Svcurla's book that some of the boats used to board from Lumut. Why did the others give up operating the liveaboards?
Lee operates from Tjg Karang during monsoon season for Jarak Island. During calm season on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Lee operates from Rompin for Tioman islands & its surrounding.
Not sure why other boats stopped going to Jarak. Mayb cos it's too costly to move their boats to West Coast during monsoon season, OR they don't hv d necessary documents or qualified boat captains.
Thanks for the info, asther
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