THE Penang government is giving out financial aid of over RM1 million to coastal fishermen in the state for them to buy nets and other necessary items.
Telok Bahang assemblyman Zolkifly Md Lazim, who presented a mock cheque for RM1,020,000 to a few representatives of the fishermen at the Telok Bahang Fishermen NPK Centre today, said the aid was to ease the burden of the over 2,000 fishermen.
A total of 239 fishermen from the Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Telok Bahang today received the RM400 aid voucher each at the centre. They came from Pantai Acheh, Telok Bahang, Batu Ferringhi, Tanjong Bungah, Tanjong Tokong and Gurney Drive.
“I understand their catch has gone down over the past 10 years. Statistics, however, show that the sales revenue went up to RM2 billion last year. This was due to fish price increase and also the increase in fishes caught by the bigger boats,” Zolkifly said in his speech.
“The state will help provide aid from time to time. The fishermen are the heroes for providing high protein (in the form of fishes) to the people.”
Also present were Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) Penang director Dr Nik Yahya AB Rahman, Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Telok Bahang chairman Johari Mohammad, Northeast District representative Nurshamshinaz Shamsudin and Balik Pulau penghulu Mohd Farouk Varusai Mohd.
Story by K.H. Ong