FISHERMEN in the vicinity of the Silicon Island reclamation site are commending Pusat Perkhidmatan Setempat Nelayan (PPSN) for preserving its tradition of distributing festive goodies.
Recently, PPSN celebrated Chinese New Year by presenting hampers to 20 Tier Two fishermen from the Chinese community.
The recipients expressed joy at being honoured in a simple ceremony held at PPSN Permatang Damar Laut.
This marked the first occasion where Tier Two fishermen from units in the secondary impact zone — Batu Maung (five), Pulau Betong (seven), Seri Jerjak (six), and Teluk Tempoyak (two) — received festive goodies at PPSN.
Ooi Hock Chye, 64, from the Seri Jerjak fishermen unit, conveyed his genuine appreciation, likening the experience to winning a lucky draw.
“I felt very happy when PPSN called just before Chinese New Year to tell me I had a hamper waiting for me. This was also the first time I was invited to PPSN to celebrate Chinese New Year,” he shared.
Ooi and his wife, who serves as his awak-awak (crew), are both beneficiaries of the project’s Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP), implemented by the Penang government, the owner of Silicon Island.
While Ooi has received his initial 75% ex-gratia payment under the scheme, his wife awaits hers.
“Although it was a small gathering, I found it very meaningful. Even though the project has started, it is good that PPSN is still reaching out to fishermen during festive seasons,” Ooi remarked.
Batu Maung fisherman Saw Chan Seng, 44, also praised PPSN for its festive programmes with fishermen and encouraged the centre to continue this positive initiative.
He emphasised how such programmes unite people of various races and cultures, fostering festive cheer and strengthening harmony in the community.
Since its establishment in 2016, PPSN has actively organised festive programmes for fishermen, gathering feedback on reclamation, assisting in resolving job-related issues, and facilitating SIMP registrations.
Previous events primarily focused on Tier One fishermen from units closest to the Silicon Island site — Permatang Tepi Laut, Gertak Sanggul, Sungai Batu, and Teluk Kumbar.
Currently, PPSN has registered 71% of the 952 eligible fishermen for SIMP benefits.
Those yet to register are urged to do so promptly at PPSN for the timely processing of their applications and ex-gratia payments by the state government.