Its commander Hazani Ghazali said this could even be made mandatory with the Automatic Identification System (AIS) on sea vessels for safety purposes.

Speaking after a briefing on the security situation to state leaders on the sidelines of the state assembly here today, he said the matter was still under discussion.

At the moment, he added, they were waiting for the government’s approval to make the AIS a requirement.

“Fishermen can use flare guns when they are attacked by pirates or kidnappers,” he said, adding that such groups would target a vessel’s communication equipment first in any attack.

“These are among the mechanisms to improve security and speed up response time during emergencies at sea.”

He added that the state government and security agencies were considering lifting the ban on pump boats in Sabah beginning next year, but with strict guidelines.

These include the re-registration of pump boats and their owners, the application of colour zoning for the vessels and immediate action to be taken when they are used by illegal immigrants or non-owners.

“We want to allow pump boats to be used only by registered Malaysians for purposes including fishing and for transport within an area,” he said.

He said illegal immigrants caught using pump boats within Sabah or to enter the state would be detained while the boats would be destroyed.

“If the illegal immigrant is found to be using a local’s pump boat, then the owner will have his licence revoked,” he added.

He said national security was of prime concern, although the government was also thinking of underprivileged locals who depend on pump boats in their daily activities.