adminIPOH: The maximum limit of 50 litres of subsidised petrol per day at a price of RM1.65 is currently sufficient for the daily operational needs of most fishermen in the country.
Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said his party was aware of complaints from fishermen stating that the maximum quota involved was insufficient.
He said the subsidy was not intended to cover the entire operating costs of fishermen every time they went to sea to catch fish.
“We have to understand that the subsidies given by the government only help with part of the fishermen’s expenses, depending on the capacity of the boat and their respective fuel consumption needs.
“If any fishermen need more than 50 litres a day, they will have to bear the excess cost themselves because this subsidy policy is to help with part of the cost only,” he said at a press conference after completing the LKIM Cheap Fish Sale in conjunction with the MADANI Rakyat (PMR) 2026 Programme at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah here today. .
Meanwhile, Muhammad Faiz said the current supply of fish in the country is sufficient to meet domestic demand, and thus should not cause an increase in prices in the market.
“If there is an increase in fish prices, it is more due to supply chain factors such as logistics and transportation, rather than at the fisherman level.
“From a catch perspective, the fish supply is sufficient. If prices increase, it will happen at other levels such as logistics, not at the fisherman level,” he said.
He said the government also provided various incentives to fishermen including petrol assistance, monthly living allowances and catch incentives to encourage increased productivity in the fisheries sector.
“This effort is important to ensure that fishermen continue to go to sea, as well as to ensure that the country’s fish supply remains stable and sufficient,” he said.
— BERNAMA
