Coffin protest in Melaka turns fishy

MELAKA: Something fishy about Tuesday’s coffin protest outside the KAJ Development Sdn Bhd (KAJD) office in Pulau Melaka has emerged.

An association representing the fishermen claimed that some 200 people from the Portuguese Settlement, who held the protest outside the Melaka Gateway developer office, were not full-time fishermen.

Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Melaka Selatan ( PNKMS) for the Portuguese Settlement and Parit Cina chairman Joseph Periera said none of those present on that day were members of PNKMS, which is under the Fisheries Development Authority.

He said the majority of the demonstrators were not “genuine fishermen” or those fishing for leisure.

“We have 92 registered members who are genuine fishermen with more than 40 boats from the Portuguese Settlement and Parit Cina.

“Only 10 fishermen (at the protest) were from the Portuguese Settlement,” he told a press conference at the KAJD office.

Also present were his secretary John Tan, KAJD board of directors member Datuk Paduka M. Yahya A. Hamid and KAJD general manager Dr Hasbullah Zakaria.

Joseph said to date, none of the members had complained that the reclamation activities for the RM43bil Melaka Gateway project had affected their livelihoods.

He said they also received a RM3,200 compensation each from the previous state government several years ago.