JOHOR BARU – Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has expressed unhappiness about the dangerous handling of a tourist vessel by boatmen on drugs in Mersing on Wednesday.
In a Facebook post yesterday, the ruler, who personally witnessed the matter, said: “I regret the incident that happened right before my eyes. I saw the passenger boat speeding dangerously near the Pulau Rawa jetty.
“I directed police to detain the boat, which had a family with young children on board for island-hopping activities.
“After police detained (the boatmen) and investigated the matter, it was clear that they handled the boat recklessly as they were under the influence of drugs.”
Sultan Ibrahim directed all enforcement agencies to increase patrols and take stringent action.
“Incidents like this are a great embarrassment to the Johor tourism industry. I hope they are not repeated.
“Take stern action, including revoking boat licences and seizing vessels that flout the regulations.”
Police on Wednesday detained two men – a skipper and a crew member of the passenger boat – after finding that they handled the vessel in a reckless and dangerous manner.
The duo, in their 20s, tested positive for methamphetamine. – Bernama, October 8, 2021
