MUKAH: The Mukah/Oya Area Fishermen Association (PNK) is looking forward to having a new ice-making machine this year.
Its general manager, Awang Mohaini Awang Chee, said a working paper on the matter had been prepared last year.
He added that it was forwarded to the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) for submission to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Farming for consideration.
“The 10-tonne machine is estimated to cost RM360,000, and hopefully this can get done this year,” he said when speaking at a soft opening of the Village Commercial Centre (VCC) at Kampung Seri Tellian (Tellian Tengah) here recently.
Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo officiated at the event, which was also attended by Mukah/Oya PNK chairman Ali Hamid.
According to Awang Mohaini, the current ice-making machine stationed at LKIM Complex here had a processing capacity of three tonnes only.
He added that the association also supplied ice to members in Igan and Oya, besides Mukah.
Meanwhile, New Sarawak Tribune today discovered that the machine processed ice in block form, measuring about four inches thick, 18 inches wide and 24 inches long.
The block, sold at RM4.50 each, would be grated to smaller sizes by a machine, and collected in plastic trays before delivered to the fishermen’s boats berthed at the LKIM jetty.
