FISHERMEN are not happy with the allocation of between RM100,000 and RM200,000 in Putrajaya’s stimulus package, saying it is not sufficient to plan large-scale projects nor does it help those whose income is badly affected by the movement control order (MCO).

Fishermen’s associations told The Malaysian Insight that the allocation will not be enough for them to generate returns in six months.

Malaysia Fishermen Welfare and Education Association (Jaring) chairman Che Ani Mat Zain said the allocation is clearly insufficient for implementing large-scale projects.

“To be honest, the allocation provided is unclear. A lot of projects undertaken by fishermen’s associations have failed to generate profits.

“What can we really do with RM200,000? Even if we want to develop projects one by one, the sum is too low.

“Furthermore, the allocation is supposed to be used to help us generate revenue in three to six months.”

Che Ani, from Kuala Perlis, said he is doubtful over the distribution of the funds as there haven’t been announcements by fishery agencies.

“Although the allocation is welcomed, it has to be reviewed in order to evaluate its effectiveness for fishermen.

“It will be good for the aid to be channelled directly to each fisherman, not because we really want the cash, but because we want to avoid any possible project failures.”

He also said the movement control order has resulted in fishermen dumping their catch due to lack of demand as traders only want to buy in small quantities.

Since their catch doesn’t reach the market, the fishermen have stopped going out to sea to avoid losses.

Johari Darus, a fish farmer in Langkawi, told The Malaysian Insight every fishermen’s association has to be wise and mindful in utilising the allocation. 

“Our income has suffered badly during the MCO. The government wants to help the fishing community by providing this allocation, but we don’t see this will work out.

“With only RM200,000 given to Langkawi fishermen for example, how does 2,000 fishermen in the area benefit?

“It’s not possible to distribute the funds to every fisherman, one will get only RM100.”

Every fishing association chairman, he said, has to be resourceful in planning projects that are relevant to their members.

“Maybe they can run businesses or implement entrepreneurial projects based on marine products, such as salted fish.

“But not all fishermen can be involved, so the allocation has to be clarified in greater detail.”

The stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin last week said the fishermen community would receive a special allocation of between RM100,000 and RM200,000 through each fishermen’s associations.

There are a total of 102 such associations in Malaysia.

Seberang Perai Fishermen’s Association chairman Mahadi Md Rozi welcomes the allocation as a business opportunity for his association.

He is confident the funds can be used to appoint an in-house trader, instead of going through middlemen to sell their catch.

“It depends on the method each association uses to generate revenue to assist its members.”

He admitted that the allocation cannot be used for large-scale projects such as building a fish collection centre.

“The allocation of RM100,000 to RM200,000 is very small, one can perhaps only run a sundry shop with that amount.

“If I want to build a cold room to store my fish, it won’t be enough because cold rooms are expensive, one costs millions.”

Mahadi said his association has more than 200 members and they are planning to sell their catch in the Seberang Perai area by providing shipping services.

As for Adnan Basri, a fisherman from Sekinchan, Selangor, he is positive about the allocation.

“It’s a good thing that the government is providing assistance, instead of none at all.

“This is only my second day going out to the sea since the MCO was enforced as the traders have refused to take a lot of our catch.

“I only go out if the traders request fish from me. Maybe we can utilise the allocation to build a platform so association members can sell the fish themselves.” – March 31, 2020.