Budget 2024: Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority holds engagement sessions with fishermen to identify problems, needs

JASIN - The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has been holding engagement sessions with fishermen nationwide to identify the problems and infrastructure needs of the fishing industry for the Budget 2024 application.

Its chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said that thus far, he visited 23 fishing community locations so that improvements can be implemented for their comfort and safety through the requested allocation.

"We have identified some of the problems faced by these fishermen, including jetty facilities, apart from fishing equipment such as those under the 'touch point' programme and improving their socio-economics through the implementation of several programmes.

"The facility is important, not only to ensure that fishermen continue to be active in the sea but also to help the government with sufficient food supply, especially fishery products,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters at a get-together with Melaka fishermen which was also attended by state Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

Muhammad Faiz said LKIM has thus far approved RM14.6 million to upgrade fisheries infrastructure such as the LKIM Complex and fishing jetties across the country.

He said out of the total, RM10.6 million was approved to upgrade or improve facilities at the LKIM Complex, upgrade and improve fishing jetty facilities (RM2 million) and jetty construction (RM2 million).

In another development, he said fishermen, especially through their respective associations, are advised to actively carry out aquaculture activities as one of the alternatives to improve their economy.

"For example, the shrimp breeding pond in Kampung Sebatu in Jasin by the Melaka Fishermen's Association and that activity provides good economic returns to the members and the government also provides certain allocations to help with the programme,” he said.

He said that thus far, LKIM has channelled an allocation of RM2 million, covering fishing equipment assistance to 1,200 fishermen in 23 locations nationwide. - BERNAMA