Julaihi with a rosette on his shirt joins the members in a photo call.
SEBUYAU: Fishermen in the state should reciprocate the various forms of assistance provided by the government to uplift their standard of living.
Assistant Rural Development Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, who said this, pointed out that among the assistance were petrol subsidy and fishing equipment, which fishermen should appreciate.
“The government has provided many forms of assistance to help fishermen increase their catch and uplift their standard of living, and the fishermen know that…so it is only appropriate that fishermen reciprocate what the government has done,” he said on Tuesday.
Julaihi was speaking when officiating at the 35th annual general meeting (AGM) of Sebuyau Area Fishermen Association (PNK) at the PNK hall here, which was attended by more than 700 PNK members.
He added that the government not only helped fishermen, but provided assistance to deserving people.
As such, Julaihi, who is also Assistant Minister of Investment and Promotion, urged fishermen and the people not be misguided by certain groups who make promises after promises.
“We in the government (Barisan Nasional) will continue to help, and the people must reciprocate by supporting the government,” the Sebuyau assemblyman asserted.
On a different note, Julaihi challenged PNK Sebuyau to set up a fish collection centre in the area, through which they can sell their catch directly to consumers to earn more income.
For this purpose, he approved RM50,000 to the association.
This, he said, is to avoid going through middlemen who reap huge profits from the fishermen’s hard labour at sea.
“From this year, I want to see PNK Sebuyau take the need to have the collection centre seriously for the members to sell their catch directly to consumers,” he stressed, adding that such practice would benefit both the association and members.
He believed that with the collection centre, PNK Sebuyau would become successful because of the strategic location and when the Batang Sadong bridge is completed next year.
“PNK Sebuyau must have long term planning to become successful and be able to help the members,” he asserted.
Julaihi also pointed out that the setting up of Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) Region 4 in Saratok, which will be operational by next month, would provide focussed and effective assistance to fishermen in the area, including Beladin and nearby areas.
At the function, Julaihi presented fishing equipment like outboard engines and boats to 61 recipients under the National Key Result Area (NKRA) project.
Sarawak Fishermen Association (Penesa) also presented more than RM56,000 to PNK Sebuyau, which was handed over by Penesa representative Man Nen.
Present were LKIM Region 4 officer Sapri Bawi, Sebuyau sub-district administrative officer Ajis Ahmad and PNK Sebuyau chairman Kaderi Abang Abdul Raub.