KUCHING: The Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) Sarawak proposed that fishermen diesel subsidies should be given annually.
This was made known in a press conference, yesterday, at LKIM port in Tanjong Bako.
LKIM chairman Faiz Fadzil stated that currently the subsidies were given monthly at 60 million liters per month.
“The distribution of fuel annually would help regulate the usage according to the fishermen’s needs,” he said.
“It’s because the need for diesel vary according to weather conditions.”
Faiz pointed out that during the monsoon season, demand for fish decreased as fishermen cannot go to sea.
“So during the off
season the fishermen would not fully utilise the subsidies. Therefore, we want the subsidies to be given annually so that they can be monitored accurately,” he explained.
“If approved, the subsidies in a year would be 720 million litres. The quota per month would be different and the system would be more efficient,” said Faiz.
