THE Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) has approved the construction of 257 new houses this year under the Special Housing Project for Fishermen (PKPN).

Its chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the construction would cost RM16.3 million.

He said the highest number of fishermen houses, 71, would be built in Sarawak, followed by Kedah (49), Perak (34), Negri Sembilan (25), Terengganu (25), Labuan (16), Johor (11), Selangor (eight), Perlis (five), Pahang (four), Kelantan (four), Malacca (four) and Penang (one).

He said this after handing over PKPN houses in Pulau Redang today.

This year alone, he said, LKIM handed over 173 new houses, with each house costing about RM58,000.

At the event, Faiz also handed over donated food baskets to the fishermen as well as six units of LED lights worth RM4,500 to be installed at a fishermen’s facility in the area.

Faiz said LKIM allocated RM212 million to repair houses under PKPN this year.

He also said LKIM had sufficient stock – 90 tonnes – of frozen fish as preparation for the monsoon season.

“We have a trade partner that stores approximately 1,500 metric tonnes to ensure there is sufficient supply during the monsoon season,” he said.

He said there were 56,000 fishermen registered with LKIM, and they receive a monthly RM300 cost of living allowance. – Bernama, October 7, 2023.