LKIM Hopes Gov't Will Continue Support For Fishermen In Budget 2025

BALIK PULAU, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) hopes the government will continue the initiatives and assistance previously provided to fishermen in Budget 2025, expected to be unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 18.

LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the measures were important to protect the welfare of fishermen, encouraging them to be more productive in increasing their catch.

"Firstly, we want the subsidies and incentives that have been provided, such as diesel and petrol subsidies, cost-of-living allowances, and fish catch incentives, to be maintained in principle.

"Secondly, all assistance aimed at improving the socio-economic status of fishermen, such as housing repairs, new constructions, and fishing equipment incentive or assistance should also be continued next year," he told Bernama at the MADANI Meet-and-Greet event with Pulau Pinang Fishermen at the Fishermen's Unit in Pulau Betong here today.

Faiz added that the current RM300 cost-of-living allowance was sufficient, but maintaining the fuel subsidy was crucial to enable fishermen to continue their fishing activities.

He expressed concern that a sudden discontinuation of the fuel subsidy could hamper fishing activities, as fuel constituted 60 per cent of operational costs.

Furthermore, Faiz urged the government to allocate more funds for the repair and upgrading of infrastructure related to fish landings, including complexes and jetties.

"Across Malaysia, we have 48 complexes and jetties, most of which are old and in need of repair. When these infrastructures are well-maintained, we believe the fisheries ecosystem will run more smoothly and efficiently," he said.

Faiz stressed that all infrastructure provided for fishermen should be complete and conducive, ensuring a stable supply of fish at affordable prices for the nation.

In Budget 2024, Anwar announced that the government would maintain the diesel subsidy at RM1.65 per litre for certain classes of fishermen, with a quota of 840 million litres per year. The government also provided a cost-of-living allowance of up to RM300 per month, a Fish Catch Incentive of up to RM1,000 per month, and RM10 million to construct and repair dilapidated fishermen's homes.

Earlier, Faiz officiated the newly built basic facility for lifting boat engines at the Fish Landing Jetty in Pulau Betong, as well as the upgrading of the Fishermen's Activity Centre in Kuala Sungai Pinang. He also presented fishing equipment assistance to 67 fishermen from the Penang South and Teluk Bahang Fishermen’s Associations, worth RM150,000.

Additionally, Faiz presented RM356,547 under LKIM's Agrofood Project Redevelopment Programme (PPSPA) to seven fishermen from Penang South and Teluk Bahang who were affected by natural disasters such as fires and sunken boats, as well as RM212,000 under the Fishermen Fund Programme to the chairman of the Penang South Fishermen’s Association, representing 12 fishermen from the area.

-- BERNAMA