MUAR, Oct 3 — The government’s move to implement targeted fuel subsidies does not affect the original subsidies currently enjoyed by some 112,000 registered fishermen nationwide.
Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said on the contrary, fishermen also receive additional benefits through the Budi Madani 95 (BudiI95) initiative which reduces their travelling costs to the petrol station.
“For boat owners who use petrol, they need to go to the petrol station to buy fuel. So with the savings that the government is offering today, at prices of up to RM1.99 per litre, it reduces the operational and travelling costs of the fishermen themselves. This should increase productivity or fish output,” he said.
He was speaking in a press conference after the LKIM chairman’s Meet-and-Greet event which also witnessed the presentation of two generator units (gensets) to the Muar Fishermen’s Association through the Development and Empowerment Grant Assistance today.
Currently, registered boat owners receive the benefits of the Fishermen’s Diesel and Petrol Subsidy Scheme at RM1.65 per litre, in addition to a monthly Fishermen’s Cost of Living Allowance of RM300.
Meanwhile, he encouraged fishermen to venture into fish farming, whether freshwater or marine, through aquaculture projects, which have now become a new avenue to increase fish supply.
“Marine resources are gradually declining. Most coastal areas today are involved in development activities such as sea reclamation that can affect fishing zones and catch,” he added. — Bernama
