THE Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has allocated RM228.2 million from 2013 to September this year for the repair and construction of new houses nationwide under the special housing project for fishermen, said its chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil.

He said of the total amount, RM16.3 million was earmarked for the construction of 257 new houses and RM211.9 million for the repair of 20,086 existing houses.

“So far, we have received over 500 applications for the construction of new houses, which we are still processing. Next year, we plan to repair another 348 houses and build 48 new ones.

“Among the selection criteria is that the fishermen must own their own land and be active in associations and fishing,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting with fishermen’s associations in Kelantan today.

At the programme, 200 members from the in Semerak, Bachok, Kota Baru and Tumpat associations – who were affected by the floods – were given food hampers worth RM20,000.

Earlier, Faiz visited the National Fishermen’s Association (Nekmat) ice factory at LKIM Tok Bali Fishing Port.

The plant, which is being built at a cost of around RM10 million, is an initiative by Nekmat to ensure an adequate supply of ice blocks for fishermen in the Pasir Puteh region, particularly in Tok Bali.

The factory can produce up to 200 tonnes of ice blocks per day, which will benefit about 400 deep-sea fishing boats and coastal fishermen. – Bernama, 20 December 2023