Julaihi: Fishermen will vote BN this election
SEBUYAU: Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi is confident that fishermen throughout the state will give their strong support to Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming state election.
He believed that fishermen would reciprocate what the government has done to improve their lot, thus would support the government in return.
“I am very confident that the fishermen, particularly those in rural and coastal areas will reciprocate what the government (BN) has done for them. For that they will continue supporting BN in the coming state election,” Julaihi said when officiating at the Sebuyau Area Fishermen Association (PKNS) 36th annual general meeting (AGM), and election of new office-bearers at Dewan Pembangunan, here Friday.
Julaihi, who is also Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion), said fishermen knew what the government had done for them.
He also said the government acknowledged the roles of fishermen in society which was to contribute towards the country’s economy.
In view of this, he said the government would continue to help the fishermen by providing them various assistances like diesel subsidy, living allowance and welfare.
“The government will continue to help fishermen to improve their living and their welfare,” he added.
On Sebuyau Area Fishermen Association, which has more than 800 members, Julaihi urged them to be pro-active to increase their income and look after their members.
Saying that many opportunities would arise with the completion of Batang Sadong Bridge in August and the proposed construction of Batang Lupar Bridge, he urged the association to be prepared to diversify their income.
“Here in Sebuyau an industrial estate will be built in the current 11th Malaysian Plan so PKNS should use the facility to get involved in fish processing activities,” he said.
He challenged the association to make its presence recognised as a successful one.
Julaihi also reiterated that it was crucial for people in rural areas to give a big mandate to the BN in the coming state election to continue with the rural transformation programmes.
He also hoped that the government would consider upgrading the present coastal roads to help the people living in coastal areas.
He later approved RM50,000 for the association to carry out its activities.
Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) director and deputy director Untong Keri and Nik Rashid Nik Yusuf respectively and Sebuyau SAO Ajis Ahmad were also present.