Government approves fishermen's market

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced the approval for the building of a fishermen's market and a RM2.5 million allocation for an artificial reef project. He said another allocation of RM500,000 was for upgrading the Kuala Dulang Kecil jetty in Sungai Limau. "The allocations and approval are the responsibility of the government to improve our fishermen's standard of living, which is one of the government's priorities," he said at a 1Malaysia Breakfast event in Kuala Dulang Kecil. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Yan Fishermen's Association chairman Saidin Kassim and Barisan Nasional candidate for the upcoming Sungai Limau state seat by-election, Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim. Muhyiddin said the government viewed fishermen, farmers and livestock breeders as a special group because without their efforts, the government's National Food Security agenda would be hampered. "Ensuring food security is vital, not only for our country but for the whole world. And I state here that since the time I was agriculture minister until now, the agriculture sector has never been neglected although we are moving towards becoming a developed nation, with more industries coming up and investments flowing in, creating jobs for the people. "However, the issue of food supply cannot be ignored. It is a basic thing and a priority of the Barisan Nasional government. That is why we need to double up our current efforts and resolve any shortcomings." On encroachment by fishermen who do not possess the licence for certain categories of fishing, Muhyiddin said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) would be enforcing the relevant regulations to stem the problem. "I have been told that in Kuala Kedah alone, there were 23 such cases and those involved were detained by the MMEA, while in Kuala Perlis there were 29 cases. This means, enforcement will continue to curb unlawful encroachment of fishing waters," he said.