Budget 2027: LKIM wants key fishermen initiatives to continue

KEPALA BATAS – The Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) wants several key initiatives for fishermen that were previously provided, including a RM3 million allocation for their use, to be continued under Budget 2027, which is expected to be tabled in October.

Its chairman, Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, said the allocation was given for purposes including the supply of fishing equipment, the distribution of diesel subsidies, cost-of-living allowances and housing repair assistance for fishermen.

He said LKIM also wants the government to provide additional allocations to upgrade dilapidated and outdated fisheries infrastructure, including fish landing jetties, particularly for coastal fishermen, as well as several other facilities for them.

"Another focus of ours is to increase development of the aquaculture sector because fish resources in the sea are now dwindling.

"So we will ask for a bigger allocation to develop this aquaculture sector, especially in repairing any old ponds that have been damaged and so on," he said. (Translated from Malay.)

Muhammad Faiz was speaking to reporters at the Rahmah Mesra Madani programme between the LKIM chairman and Penang fishermen at Bakau Tua, Penaga, here, yesterday afternoon.

At the event, 103 fishermen benefited from several key LKIM initiatives, with the total value of aid handed out exceeding RM615,900.

The existing allocations cited by Muhammad Faiz cover direct assistance to fishermen — fishing gear, diesel subsidies, cost-of-living allowances and home repairs — alongside infrastructure needs such as fish landing jetties.

He said the decline in marine fish stocks is among the main reasons LKIM is focusing on aquaculture development, including efforts to rehabilitate damaged older ponds. – UTUSAN