Incentives only for fishermen who sell to LKIM, associations

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Ismail Sabri (centre) shares a light moment with farmers and fishermen after the dialogue session. — Bernama photo

KUANTAN: With effect from on Sunday, only fishermen who land their harvest at jetties belonging to the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM)  and local fishermen’s associations will be eligible for incentives.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the initial phase of the move involved 45 LKIM jetties and 14 association jetties and will be rolled out to another 200 jetties during the second phase in April.

“If they (fishermen) want to sell (to private parties) they can, but the landing incentive of 10 cents per kilogramme will not be given to them,” he said.

He said this at a dialogue with heads of farmers and fishermen’s associations  in the Eastern Zone at a resort near here yesterday.

Also present were Pahang Rural Development, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif and National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) chairman Datuk Seri Saipolbahri Suib.

Elaborating further at a press conference later, Ismail said the ministry had to impose the new terms as there were also some fishermen who were found to be cheating by not weighing accurately.

“Currently only 10 per cent of the fishermen sell fish to LKIM and fishermen’s associations and I cannot say I’m totally satisfied.

“This is because the war against the middlemen only began last year and it is not easy because they are accustomed to the practice,” he said.

He admitted that despite their hardships, some fishermen were comfortable with the current method and routine of life which allowed them to be easily cheated by middlemen who reaped the all benefits.

Meanwhile, he said a lack of information regarding the RM40 million fund provided by Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (TEKUN) for fishermen to combat the middlemen was among the main factors why the facility was not well received by fishermen.

He added that as the fund was not being fully utilised, it was now also being extended to farmers. — Bernama