PH govt looks after welfare of fishermen — MP
MIRI: Member of Parliament for Miri Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng has given an assurance that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government will continue to look after the welfare of the fishing community including those in Sarawak.
He said the federal government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry has recently said that the cost of living allowance as well as incentives such as diesel subsidy which has been enjoyed by the fishermen since 2008 would be continued.
He was speaking to the media after officiating at the Batu Satu fishermen market of Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) Region III Miri at Kuala Baram yesterday.
Dr Teo also reiterated the government’s commitment to address the encroachment of fishing vessels in waters off Miri.
He was commenting on the coastal protection project for Kampung Batu Satu, previously approved by the former BN federal government, saying he would follow up on the matter.
The MP, however, appealed for understanding from the people in Miri as the PH government had put certain previously approved projects under review.
“With the current economic situation, we are now facing financial constraint. Thus, the government will give priority to those critical projects and projects that could bring total benefit to the people,” he explained.
Meanwhile, a press statement by LKIM Region III Miri revealed that the new fishermen market which cost around RM176,000 was completed in March last year.
Hosting 20 fishing stalls, it is the fourth fishermen market in Miri after those in Kuala Baram, Piasau Utara and Luak.
Also present at the event were LKIM’s marketing and licensing deputy director Mohd Rizal Sahari, LKIM Region III Miri officer Norlaili Baharuddin @ Hamdan and Miri Fishermen Association chairman Musa Bujang.