KOTA KINABALU – The devolution of power granted to the Sabah fisheries department director to issue deep-sea permits and licences for fishing vessels in the state was done in the hope of speeding up the development of the deep-sea industry in Sabah.
Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said that empowering the director to issue licences without going through Putrajaya will reduce the bureaucracy involved in the process, thus speeding up the development of the industry.
“That is what we want to see.
“We want to develop the deep-sea industry in Sabah,” he said when met after he witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, and Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board today.
Ronald said that he is not sure if the same devolution process will be applied to other departments and sectors, but he is pleased with the development that the Sabah fisheries department’s director had been empowered in the matter.
In December last year, Ronald announced that the ministry will devolve authority to the Sabah fisheries department director to approve Class C2 deep-sea fishing licences from December 1. – The Vibes, April 7, 2022
