NOT expecting any promises, the fishermen here in the district of Kemaman just want their welfare be taken care of and their voices heard. 

“We only want one thing, please look into our welfare,” pleaded Remi Ali, 58, one of the fishermen at Pantai Kemasik in Chukai. 

Fondly called Pok Mi by the local fishing community, he said the sea has been his source of income since his school days, and although fishing is deemed a 3D (dangerous, dirty and difficult) job, his family depends on it for sustenance. 

The father of five said his income, however, is often affected during the northeastern monsoon season as he cannot go out to sea to fish due to the dangerous weather conditions. 

“I also have gout, diabetes and a heart problem. Sometimes my feet would be swollen but I would still have to go out to sea. But during this monsoon season, we cannot fish, so there’s no income,” he told Bernama when met at Tanjung Kemasik beach. 

Remi said the household income aid given by the government helps the fishermen to a certain extent and he hopes that such programmes will be continued. 

“We appreciate this aid as it does provide some relief for us. But it’ll be good for us if the amount is increased, as well as the provision of more jetties, wave breakers, and so on,” he added.

Agreeing with him, Abd Ghani Ismail, 68, is hoping that more aid can be given to fishermen, especially during the monsoon season.

He said the fishing community in the area yearns for more development like in Kuala Terengganu, so as to benefit all sections of society. 

Kemasik is located in the Kemaman parliamentary constituency, with Perikatan Nasional candidate Che Alias Hamid vying for it along with Ahmad Said (Barisan Nasional), Hasuni Sudin (Pakatan Harapan) and Rosli Abd Ghani (Pejuang). – Bernama, November 9, 2022.