FARMERS and fishermen have suffered up to a 60% drop in income due to the decreasing number of customers in the first week of the movement-control order (MCO).

They told The Malaysian Insight that the reduction in daily sales is causing them much worry as they need to fend for their families.

Fishermen in Sg Besar, Selangor, said their main customers are from the Klang Valley, and since the MCO was imposed on March 18, their daily income has dropped almost 60%.

“Before the restriction order, sales could hit RM300 a day. But after the order was issued, I can only get RM20,” said Zamri Ahmad.

The 37-year-old is among more than 100 fishermen based at the Sg Haji Dorani jetty. His catch is sold by family members at the Haji Dorani market.

The father of three said his family business usually runs from 7am to 7pm, but during the MCO period, operations have to end early.

“I go out to sea in the morning and return at 2pm to start selling, then at 4pm, it is already closing time. We have only two hours, and customers are afraid to leave the house.

“We can count how many people are buying fish from us. It is pointless going out to sea.”

Rahmat Mat Darus said he decided not to go out to sea starting the second day of the MCO after half of his catch on the first day went unsold.

“Who wants to buy if I go out to sea? My customers are from Kuala Lumpur, Rawang and many other places. After the order was issued, they are not able to come out.

“I have not gone out to sea for six days, so no income, and my family have to eat what we have at home,” said the 55-year-old, who has been a fisherman for more than three decades.

Rahmat’s side work as a boat-engine mechanic is also affected as workshops are not allowed to operate during the MCO.

The order, aimed at breaking the chain of Covid-19 infections, was supposed to end next Tuesday, but Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday announced its extension till April 14 in view of the steady climb in cases over the past week.

As of yesterday, Malaysia had 1,796 cases with 20 deaths. Forty patients are in the intensive care unit, 34 of whom are on ventilators, while 199 have recovered and been discharged.

Sg Haji Dorani Fisheries Network head Zulkarnain Saidik said anglers and wholesalers are unable to sell their fish due to the MCO.

“They are from Kuala Lumpur and Pasar Borong Selangor. They can’t buy from us.

“We sell our extra catch from house to house, but we cannot sell everything.”

The 29-year-old father of four said he has not earned anything in the past week, adding that he normally makes about RM300 daily.

“Now is the season to catch. It will be a huge catch, but the problem is, where do we sell the fish?

“We’ve had to use our savings. If we have to change coins, we do so.”

He said he hopes the government will consider measures to reduce the burden on fishermen.

If people are able to buy as usual, it will be enough for fishermen to earn a daily income, he said.

“If there are customers, we can go out to sea. If there is none, our catch is wasted.

“We don’t have EPF or Socso, only a fisheries insurance and a RM250 allowance. That is all we have,” said Zulkarnain, referring to Employees Provident Fund and Social Security Organisation savings.

The situation is not so different for farmers like Mohd Faisal Idris, who is unable to sell his agricultural products and livestock during the MCO.

“There have been no sales, no goats sold. People aren’t buying. We are also worried about getting people to come to the farm.

“When there are no sales, it affects the economy of farmers and producers, both large- and small-scale farmers.”

The National Agricultural Action Agency chairman said the situation has cut the cash flow of farmers like himself when they still need to spend on daily essentials.

“In the long run, many will have to bear the heavy burden of living as we struggle to eat. We have no EPF, no monthly salary or bonuses.

“We depend only on what we can get each day.”

Among his recommendations is for the government to provide assistance to groups such as farmers, breeders and fishermen.

“The government has to provide incentives such as cash aid and compensate us for the loss of business during this period.

“Many of us are on the brink of closing down our businesses. So, we pray for this to be resolved. We cannot take things for granted any more.”

He insisted that the food chain cannot be broken.

“Without us (farmers, breeders and fishermen), there is no food on the table. We see a doctor once a month, a lawyer once every five years, but you see food producers three times a day.” – March 26, 2020.