Pulau Redang must be protected, Terengganu mulls heavier penalties for violating boat operators

KUALA TERENGGANU, Aug 8 — In an effort to protect the coral reefs of Pulau Redang, the Terengganu government plans to hold a meeting with tourism operators and relevant agencies from August 26 to 28 to discuss the issue of reef damage. The meeting, chaired by Datuk Razali Idris, aims to identify the cause of the problem and assess enforcement weaknesses.

Razali emphasized that coral reef damage by day-trip boats is irresponsible and should not be tolerated, as decades of conservation efforts should not be destroyed for profit. The government may also consider reviewing permits for day-trip operations or imposing stricter penalties on boat operators who violate rules. Pulau Redang, a valuable tourism asset, must be safeguarded through environmental responsibility from all parties.