PAHANG SULTAN OFFICIATES INLAND FISHERMEN AID PROGRAMME

PEKAN, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, today officiated the state-level Inland Fishermen Aid Programme at Rumah Rakit Maraie, Kampung Padang Rumbia.

Organised by Yayasan AmanahRaya in collaboration with the Fisheries Department (DOF), the event saw His Royal Highness presenting a mock cheque worth RM305,250.40 to three representatives of 30 recipients from the districts of Pekan, Kuantan and Rompin.

Also present were the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Tengku Panglima Perang Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu’adzam Shah, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and members of the state executive council.

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As a symbolic act of conservation, Sultan Abdullah released 100,300 fish fry into Sungai Pahang, comprising species such as patin buah, terbul, baung, lampam sungai and freshwater prawns.

DOF director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the aid includes fibreglass boats, outboard engines, life jackets, as well as fishing equipment such as nets, crab traps and insulated containers to boost the operational capacity of inland fishermen.

“Our goal is to equip these fishermen so they can increase their catch and income, ultimately lifting themselves out of poverty,” he told reporters.

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He added that the department releases some 2.3 million fish fry in Pahang annually to replenish stocks and support the livelihoods of riverine fishermen.

Meanwhile, AmanahRaya Group managing director Ahmad Faezal Sulaiman Khan said the foundation contributed RM15,400 to a fisherman from Kampung Cherok Paloh in Kuantan to replace fishing gear lost in a recent fire.

He said RM100,000 in zakat funds was also channelled to Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (UNIPSAS) to assist asnaf students with living and tuition expenses, while RM50,000 was distributed to 50 selected asnaf through the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) to help ease their daily financial burden.

“We welcome more donors to contribute through Yayasan AmanahRaya, which is a fully government-owned entity and offers tax relief on eligible donations,” he said.

-- BERNAMA