Budget 2027: Nekmat Wants Modernisation of Vessels, Fishing Equipment For Operational Efficiency

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Vessel modernisation initiatives, upgrading of fishing equipment, and mechanisation systems deserve primary consideration in the tabling of the 2027 Budget to drive operational efficiency and productivity in the country's fisheries sector.

National Fishermen's Association (NEKMAT) General Manager Azrin Shah Ismail said emphasis should also be given to navigation and safety aspects to improve the operational efficiency of fishermen at sea, thereby reducing the sole reliance on subsidies.

"Subsidies play a role in protecting the livelihood of fishermen, but productivity, the adoption of technology, and mastery of the value chain will determine the sustainability of their income in the future," he said as a guest on the Bernama TV programme, Malaysia Petang Ini, titled "2027 Budget: What Are Fishermen's Hopes" here today.

Azrin said this modernisation-based approach is crucial to ensure that government assistance does not merely ease daily costs, but instead builds the capacity of the fishing community to generate returns continuously.

He noted that the application of technologies such as satellite navigation, sonar, and fish finders can help fishermen identify catch locations and species more precisely, thereby maximizing yields while saving time and fuel consumption.

At the same time, he said the use of modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) should be leveraged to analyse operational data, helping fishermen determine the most suitable fishing times and techniques.

He added that this modernisation agenda at sea must be supported by integrated post-landing facilities such as cold storage rooms, ice systems, and refrigerated seawater (RSW) technology to preserve catch quality so that fishermen can fetch higher market prices.

Touching on existing assistance, he said that the government previously allocated nearly RM178 million through the 2026 Budget in the form of targeted subsidies, aid, and incentives, encompassing RM145 million for living allowance and RM15 million for catch incentives.

He said petrol and diesel subsidies at the rate of RM1.65 per liter remain critical for active fishermen given that fuel accounts for up to 60 percent of their total operating costs at sea.

"Productivity gains for every trip can be generated through reduced labor reliance, efficient fuel usage, and modern navigation support," he said.

In addition, Azrin hopes the government will pay attention to the cost of vessel and equipment insurance, as the high operational risks at sea make it difficult for vessel owners to obtain asset protection at affordable rates.

Therefore, he suggested that financing mechanisms through matching grants or soft loans be expanded to help fishermen cover the costs of upgrading vessels and purchasing modern equipment.

Such steps, he said, are in line with the government's early approach through the 2026 Budget, which provided approximately RM20 million to upgrade vessels, including efforts to reduce reliance on foreign skippers and crew.

"NEKMAT hopes such an approach will be expanded in the Budget 2027. Government aid not only helps fishermen cover today's costs, but also helps them generate more income in the future," he stated.

Furthermore, he said the governance of subsidy distribution should be progressively tightened through the use of technology such as the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) to ensure assistance is targeted at genuinely active fishermen.

"NEKMAT's principle is simple; we want subsidies to continue, but their governance mechanism must be strengthened and improved," he said.

The 2027 Budget will be tabled in Parliament on October 9.

-- BERNAMA