SEREMBAN, May 3 — The government, through the Negri Sembilan Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), had allocated RM4.98 million as the cost-of-living allowance for coastal fishermen in the state between 2014 and 2017.

According to the Negri Sembilan state portal, RM1.33 million of the amount was allocated for 371 recipients last year while RM1.35 million was for 376 fishermen in 2016.

"In 2015, the allowance was handed out to 434 recipients involving an allocation of  RM1.37 million while 382 fishermen received RM917,800, in 2014,” the report said.

With a yearly deduction of RM100, the Group Insurance Scheme for Fishermen provided coverage of up to RM150,000. It also catered to unforeseen circumstances such as disasters and accidents.

In its efforts to ease the burden of fishermen, the government had already been giving a three-year petrol subsidy amounting to almost RM5 million from 2015.

The report said that RM4.56 million was set aside for 2.7 million litres of petrol while RM292,528 was the subsidy for 177,290 litres of diesel.

A sum of RM73,650 was set aside by the government to assist fishermen during disasters under the Negeri Sembilan Fishermen’s Natural Disaster Aid Scheme. It was a form of quick assistance for those in the fishing community who had experienced destruction or damage to their property, food supplies and even for loss of lives between 2014 and 2017.

Eleven new houses at a cost of RM440,000 were built free for the benefit of the community last year.

The report also said that the state received the highest allocation for the building of houses in the country compared to Pahang dan Terengganu which each received RM40,000, while Sarawak received only RM38,000. 

A total of RM3 million was spent by the government to finance 20 jetty and infrastructure projects that benefited 600 fishermen between 2014 and 2017.

Meanwhile, the Port Dickson Fishermen’s Association was voted for being tops in office administration at LKIM’s Innovation Day 2017. — Bernama