Audit: LKIM advised to improve SOP for fishermen's subsistence allowance payment

KUALA LUMPUR: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has been advised to improve the standard operating procedures (SOP) related to the payment of its fishermen's subsistence allowance (ESHN) and fish landing incentives by refining the eligibility review and establishing more effective monitoring mechanisms.

According to the Auditor General's Report (LKAN) 2020 Series 1 released today, this is to ensure that the payment of the fishermen's catch incentive programme (IHTN) can be implemented in an orderly manner.

It said, based on the Audit scope, there were weaknesses in the payment of the IHTN, adding that a total of RM24,571 of EHSN had been paid out to deceased recipients.

"In addition, fish landing incentive payments amounting to RM21,392 were made out to deceased recipients, while vessel owners who did not declare their catch had received the benefit under the diesel and petrol subsidy scheme amounting to RM2.12 million," said the report, adding that LKIM should blacklist these errant vessel owners and impose restrictions against them.

Improvements to the relevant systems should be implemented by having safety features, reliability and having a service continuity plan, it added.

IHTN was established to obtain information on fish landings by vessel owners and also serves as an incentive to encourage fishermen to land their catch in the country.

It aims to control and ensure that subsidised fuel purchased by fishermen is used only for fishing activities and to cover expenses following the increase in oil prices, while ESHN is a monthly financial aid for qualified fishermen who are vessel owners as well as the crew registered with the Fisheries Department.

-- BERNAMA