SIMP SCHEME: RM10,599,260 EX-GRATIA PAID TO FISHERMEN SO FAR

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The Penang State Government has disbursed a total of RM10,599,260 in ex-gratia payments to fishermen registered under the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) for the Silicon Island project to date.

Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said that 680 out of 877 registered fishermen have received the full ex-gratia payment, while 53 others received 75 per cent of the payment based on their eligibility levels and categories.

"The payment process is ongoing for the remaining fishermen, as supporting documents are still being updated," he said in a statement today.

bootstrap slideshow

Farizan announced that 98 skippers, including 77 from the Permatang Tepi Laut unit registered under SIMP, have received assistance in the form of new boats and engines at an event held at the Fishermen's Unit Hall. 

He added that the state government will manage the delivery of new boats and engines for 194 active skippers from the Sungai Batu, Teluk Kumbar, and Gertak Sanggul units, while the implementation of the Penang South Islands project currently involves only Silicon Island, compared to three islands previously.

He highlighted that the new 27-foot boats are equipped with larger engines, offering either 90 or 100 horsepower, depending on the brand selected by the skippers.

bootstrap slideshow

"Each eligible Level 1 skipper will also receive equipment such as robots, sonar, GPS, and nets to help them venture further and achieve better catches," he said.

He noted that skippers at Permatang Tepi Laut who moor their boats along Sungai Bayan Lepas are also eligible for new shelters, with two prototype shelters handed over in October last year.

The remaining 61 shelters will be constructed in phases, with the first phase for 12 shelters already underway and expected to be completed by August next year, he explained. 

Meanwhile, Permatang Tepi Laut Fishermen's Unit head Mohd Kassim Mohamed expressed satisfaction with all the assistance under the SIMP scheme.

"Thank you to the state government and all parties involved in facilitating the supply of boats, engines, and equipment to eligible fishermen," he said.

Silicon Island, spanning 2,300 acres (930.78 hectares), is the first reclamation project undertaken and managed directly by the Penang government to ensure long-term economic growth.

-- BERNAMA