Government Allocates RM10 Million For Special Fishermen Housing Project

TUMPAT, July 1 (Bernama) -- The government has allocated RM10 million this year for the Special Fishermen Housing Project (PKPN) nationwide to improve the living standards and socio-economic conditions of the fishing community.

Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the allocation managed by the agency comprises two main components,  the construction of new homes and the repair of houses owned by eligible fishermen.

He said over RM6.8 million will be used to repair 344 fishermen's homes nationwide, while more than RM3.1 million is earmarked for constructing 36 new houses.

"So far, the housing repair project has reached 80 per cent completion and is expected to be fully completed by August or September this year.

"Meanwhile, the construction of new houses is expected to be completed this year. It is taking longer because it involves land ownership issues, including inherited land," he said.

He told reporters this after the LKIM Madani Get-Together Session with Kelantan fishermen at the Fish Inspection Complex in Pengkalan Kubor here today. Kelantan LKIM director Sobri Ibrahim was also present.

Elaborating further, Muhammad Faiz said the government has allocated RM84,000 per unit in Peninsular Malaysia and RM95,000 per unit in Sabah and Sarawak for the new housing construction project for fishermen.

"The government is also providing up to RM20,000 for each fisherman's house to be repaired under the programme. In Kelantan alone, RM388,000 has been allocated for PKPN this year," he said.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Muhammad Faiz said his agency is now encouraging fishermen to enter the aquaculture sector as an alternative source of income and to reduce their reliance on conventional fishing.

He said this move is crucial because fisheries resources are dwindling and fishing operation costs, especially fuel, are rising, even though the government still maintains subsidies for fishermen.

"We want fishermen to engage in business or the aquaculture sector and not rely heavily on conventional fishing.

"The government targets that by 2030, 40 per cent of the country's fish production will come from aquaculture. It would be a loss if fishermen do not seize the opportunity to get involved," he said.

He added that to realise this aspiration, the government, through LKIM, has allocated RM400,000 to the Kelantan State Fishermen's Association (PENEKA) for an aquaculture project, namely tank-based prawn farming.

"This initiative will continue to be expanded to other states to boost the nation's aquaculture production and strengthen the income source of the fishing community," he said.

-- BERNAMA