LKIM CHANNELS RM142,720 IN AID TO 166 FISHERMEN IN MANJUNG SELATAN

IPOH, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has disbursed RM142,720 in assistance to 166 fishermen in the Manjung Selatan area through two initiatives aimed at boosting income and supporting the welfare of the local fishing community.

In a statement today, LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said RM65,500 was channelled under the Touch Point Income Enhancement Programme to 52 fishermen to improve efficiency, skills and catch yields, while RM77,220 was distributed under the Natural Disaster and Fishermen Welfare Assistance Scheme to 114 recipients.

He said the welfare assistance was channelled through area fishermen’s associations, comprising RM24,950 to the Matang Area Fishermen’s Association (PNK), RM30,900 to PNK Sungai Tinggi and RM21,370 to PNK Manjung Utara.

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To further empower the fishing community, particularly those in the B40 group, Muhammad Faiz said the assistance also included equipment such as two 15-horsepower outboard engines, 34 insulation boxes, 43 shrimp nets, 27 senangin nets, 26 pomfret nets, 20 drift nets, 117 assorted nets and 65 crab traps.

“LKIM also hopes fishermen will be more proactive in modernising fishing techniques by adopting the latest fisheries technology to increase catch yields and strengthen the competitiveness of the national fisheries sector,” he said.

Earlier, he attended the Rahmah Mesra MADANI Programme with fishermen from PNK Manjung Selatan here this morning.

At the same programme, 13 students from the Professional and Continuing Education Centre (PACE), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Kuala Lumpur Centre, contributed school supplies to 10 high-achieving children from underprivileged fishing families.

The recipients, comprising five secondary school and five primary pupils, received school bags, caps, water bottles, stationery and RM50 in cash each.

The programme also provided an opportunity for part-time PACE UUM students to gain experience in planning and implementing community-based activities involving fishing communities.

Muhammad Faiz also announced an immediate allocation of RM50,000 to upgrade the LKIM jetty at Pasir Pandak, Batu 8 Lekir.

-- BERNAMA