KUANTAN, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- A total of 36 fishermen from Kampung Pantai Pelindung here received food basket assistance through the Welfare and Natural Disaster Fund of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) to help ease the cost of living, particularly during the monsoon season.
LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the assistance was channelled to low-income fishermen from the B40 group who were registered with the Kuantan Area Fishermen’s Association (PNK).
“This assistance involves daily food supplies such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, flour, soy sauce, sardine, coffee and tea,” he said at the Rahmah Mesra MADANI programme with Kuantan PNK fishermen here today.
Muhammad Faiz said five fishermen from Balok also received assistance from the LKIM Welfare and Natural Disaster Fund amounting to RM7,000 after being affected by floods and extraordinary high tides that caused their boats to capsize last November.
“The total amount of assistance under the LKIM Welfare and Natural Disaster Fund for 2025 was RM95,150 and has been received by 51 recipients,” he said.
At the same event, Muhammad Faiz also announced an additional allocation of RM50,000 to upgrade the fishermen’s shed in Kampung Beserah in 2026, in addition to handing over a mock cheque for the Kampung Pantai Pelindung fishermen’s shed, which was built at a cost of RM50,000.
Meanwhile, one of the aid recipients, Azan Tuan Mamat, 60, expressed his gratitude for the assistance from LKIM in the form of cash to replace his boat that sank due to heavy rain and strong currents.
“Alhamdulillah, this assistance is very helpful and helps to ease the burden, especially to cover family expenses,” he said.
Azan said the heavy rain and major floods that hit the Balok area in November last year caused extensive damage, including to engines, nets and fishing equipment, with estimated losses of between RM5,000 and RM6,000.
-- BERNAMA
