JPT-PPIP MEETING FOCUSES ON EMPOWERING NATIONAL TUNA INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT - AHMAD ZAHID

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- The Highest-Level Committee Meeting on Fisheries Industry Development and Empowerment (JPT-PPIP) No. 1/2026 today focused on empowering the development of the tuna industry as a high-value sector that has the potential to make Malaysia a regional tuna hub.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the development of a more efficient tuna supply chain from landing to processing is believed to be able to open up new economic opportunities and increase the competitiveness of the country's fisheries industry.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of JPT-PPIP, said the meeting also examined the proposal to build Fish Landing Complexes in Hutan Melintang, Perak and Sandakan, Sabah as a strategic step to strengthen the industry's infrastructure and improve operational efficiency and marketing of local fisheries products.

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"In line with the MADANI Government's aspirations in strengthening the country's food security, various high-impact initiatives continue to be implemented including the modernisation of fishing vessels using automation and environmentally friendly technology, the strengthening of boatyard capacity and the development of industrial support facilities," he said in a statement after the JPT-PPIP meeting here today.

Ahmad Zahid said the government remained committed to ensuring that the welfare of the fishing community continued to be protected through various forms of assistance and incentives including the Fishermen's Living Allowance, catch incentives, subsidised diesel and housing assistance specifically for B40 fishermen.

He also expressed confidence that through close cooperation between ministries, agencies and industry players, the country's fisheries sector would be able to develop more progressively, be competitive and remain a sustainable source of livelihood for the fishing community.

The meeting was previously known as the Meeting of the Highest Level Committee on Fishermen Development and Empowerment and is now rebranded as JPT-PPIP, which reflects the government's new direction in strengthening the entire ecosystem of the country's fisheries industry, covering capture fisheries, inland fisheries and the aquaculture sector in a more integrated and sustainable manner.

-- BERNAMA