THEM not Pala’u the Sea Bajau ethnic communities in the district of Semporna, Sabah a comfortable life in the sea than land.
There was a wish to equate them with the Bajau Pala ‘u are very familiar with the sea until some of them are not quiet in the land in the long term because they will fall ill.Although not reside at all times at sea as Bajau Pala’u, but calling him “Sea Gypsy now to the unique ethnic Semporna remains eligible to be awarded to them because of the requirements of their duties and responsibilities require spending a lot of time at sea.
‘Sea Gypsy’ is meant is a member of the Police Force Marine (PPM) that served in on the safety patrol boats off the island-hopping in the country.
Among them are members of the PPM from Region 2 who works on boats in charge of Ronda PA54 waters of Mersing, Johor, which houses some of the island such as High Island, Pulau Aur, Pulau Sibu Island callers and.
Boats Head of the Ronda PA54, Sergeant Othman Yacob, 54, the team based in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, Johor, operates a patrol sea for a week or two times a month.
Othman also said the helmsman of the boat first, during the week ‘reside’ in the sea, he and his seven colleagues of other ranks of the charge of the Mersing waters invaded by outside elements and provide assistance to people suffering from emergency cases such as serious illness by sending them to shore for treatment at the hospital.
“All emergency cases involving people and tourists, especially at night will be communicated to us by members of the PPM charge police post in charge of the island.
“It is the Ministry of Health is preparing a boat for use by clinic staff at four of the island. But it is not suitable for use at night because only fitted global positioning system (GPS) without radar, “he said. He said it was dangerous for a boat or a ship sailing at night without radar because of the dark. Even small boats belonging to the Ministry of Health, only size is about 15 meters long.
During the operational period of a week, Othman said, the boat they did not stay in one area. However, move around the four islands in turn insured .
He said, they worked in the boat is also ready for 24 hours to deal with any threats and to offer help.
On the division of labor in the boat, he said, as well as the first navigator and second navigator, there are members on duty in charge of the technical parts, inspect and repair the boat’s engine in the event of damage.
In addition, he said, have also worked down the anchor, boat cleaning and cooking. All assignments are done in a turn over a week operations at sea.
As the patrol boats operate 24 hours, at least three members must stay awake at night, the task navigator, rural artisans and visual radar observer who also act as readers map the sea. ” / p> “To avoid fatigue, the task navigator and look outside will be done by rotation interval of an hour.
” After completing the operation at sea, we will return to base on the ground to perform other tasks as the Assistant Marine Officer, Criminal Investigator responsible for investigating any criminal cases have been reported in river and sea, “he said, adding that they will work on land and sea a week interval in turn.
In addition to criminal investigations They are also involved in intelligence work for the detection of illegal immigrants (illegals), inspect the boat to identify the damage, painting, refueling and water.
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief-cum-navigator PA54 second boat, ” b> Corporal Mustafa Miah , 52, said the greatest challenges in the work on the boat is while at sea during the monsoon season is around November to March.
According to him, then, the sea will strong turbulent and dark sky, but they must always be prepared 24 hours to provide assistance to residents.
“No doubt our life is like in ‘the horns’ while in the middle of a choppy sea strong. In the dark dark, radar and experience are needed for navigation, “he said.
Mustafa experienced for 32 years steered the boat was not spared acknowledge the severe sea sickness when faced with bad weather.
In fact, he had the unforgettable experience of severe vomiting for two days and two nights for a new sea-sickness during work on the boat.
“I joined the PPM since she was 21 years and gained considerable experience bitter and sweet . I used to be involved in intelligence work and undercover to detect illegal immigrants.
“Kinds of illegals I see. Some came from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In fact, used to spend the night with illegal immigrants, including those carrying children on the boat because waiting to be sent to the ground for the detention, “he said, did not deny that sometimes arises sympathy to see how the foreigners who are willing to bergadai lives to enter the country.
For Lance Corporal Syahibul Lakirbul , 30, also, the most missed during the week at sea is his wife and children one year old at home.
Born in Kudat Sabah was told, because rarely are at home, he often missed the chance to see the expansion of his favorite son, but it does not weaken the impetus to continue serving the people and country.
“I’m happy with the task of helping communities around the island -the island and considers factors away from their families and experience a wave tossed in the sea as a challenge, “he said, had eight years of service in the PPM.
colleagues, Constable Ismail Abu Kassim , 37, said he had no problem at sea as they have experienced the operations officer on the boat owned CB19 Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) before.
Ismail new year seven month stint in the Royal Police Force Malaysia Police (RMP) is a retired Navy who served in the navigation experience for 13 years. He joined the police received under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) is a group of retired Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) the first policing successfully completed basic training at Police College Kuala Kubu Bharu.
“While the former military, I had no problems adjusting among police colleagues because of my previous mutual expertise related to the job in PPM.
“Different is the task as more challenging because the police must be ready 24 hours a charge of public order,” he said, happy with life as a policeman.
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