BUKIT GANTANG, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Over 250 cockle farm operators along the coast of Pantai Kuala Sepetang to Bagan Panchor are urging the state government to intervene regarding the application for Temporary Occupation Licenses (TOL), which has been pending since the end of 2019.
Sungai Tinggi Fishermen’s Association chairman Abu Salim Karim, 66, said the delay has caused them to suffer losses of RM500,000 monthly due to thefts in their farming lots.
“We have submitted applications for the TOL to the authorities, but until now, no concrete response has been given.
“This has led to cockles in our lots being stolen by irresponsible parties. When we report it to the authorities, no action can be taken because we do not have a TOL,” he said during a press conference in Kampung Kuala Sepetang, here today.
Abu Salim said the losses incurred have increased as they have had to hire workers to curb the thefts.
“They (thieves) come regardless of time but are most active at night. My colleagues have witnessed one incident where more than 10 boats came to our lots to steal cockles.
“Some are armed with sharp weapons, and others provoke fights. These are the daily challenges we face, even though the yield is rightfully ours,” he said.
Manjung Utara Fishermen’s Association board member Faizul Sofian Sabddin urged the authorities to find a solution to resolve the TOL issue.
“We propose that the authorities give flexibility to applications from fishermen here which are supported by the fishermen’s associations or the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM).
“Do not approve TOLs to individuals with personal interests. In my view, this is one of the reasons why our TOL applications are pending,” he said.
Meanwhile, Perak MCA Youth deputy chief Neow Choo Seong said he hoped the state government could address the issue, adding that a larger conflict might arise if the relevant parties take the matter lightly.
“I would like to request that the applications, which have been submitted several times, be reviewed and, if possible, approved based on the ownership of TOL to extract this marine produce.
“On a broader scale, we worry that if this issue is not addressed properly, disputes could arise, or worse, the cockle farming industry here may disappear altogether,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
