KUCHING: Members of Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan (PNK) Santubong were yesterday advised to sell their catches directly to fishmongers or customers instead of going through the middlemen.
Santubong MP Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said by so doing they would be able to earn much more from their hard labour.
Speaking at the `Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) seminar’ at Kampung Buntal here yesterday, Wan Junaidi said it had been estimated that fishermen only get about 20 per cent of the profit when middlemen are in the picture.
He said he had to bring up this matter because some fishermen and fish mongers had approached him over the issue.
“There should be a mechanism where fishermen cannot sell their catch at very low prices to ensure they are not shortchanged for all their hard work in going out to sea to catch fish.
“PNK should look into this matter as it is what such an association should be doing.”
He said fishermen selling their catch straight to the fishmongers would give rise to a win-win situation, while consumers might be able to enjoy a better bargain.
“This situation must be looked into to ensure the industry is not monopolised by certain individuals while the rest suffers.”
On another matter, Wan Junaidi said construction opportunities under the special housing programme for fishermen should be given to families or members of PNK instead of outsiders.
“Such an approach will provide families of fishermen with the opportunities to earn more money, apart from their normal routine of going to sea.”
A total of 251 individuals from PNK Buntal and 58 from PNK Satang Biru each receive their RM200 COLA yesterday.
A total of RM61,300 in COLA were received by PNK Buntal and Satang while PNK Buntal and PNK Santubong each received RM839,000 and RM759,200 for a housing programme.
Also present were PNK Satang chairman Bohari Ganti and PNK Santubong chairman Arrifin Munir.