Sungai kemasik: About 200 fishermen in Sungai Kemasik have urged the relevant authorities, particularly the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), to deepen the increasingly shallow river mouth, which is affecting their livelihoods.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, fisherman Mohd Raffi Yusoff, 58, said dredging works were last carried out two years ago, but the problem has resurfaced, believed to be due to high tide phenomena. He emphasized the importance of immediate dredging and called on the authorities to identify a long-term solution. The high tides have caused sediment build-up, making it difficult for fishermen to go out to sea. Raffi also pointed out the challenges faced by older fishermen who are forced to manually push their boats to deeper waters before starting the engines.

Another fisherman, Ayob Endut, 53, mentioned that he has had to moor his Class C boat at the Kuala Kertih jetty, about 12 kilometres from the Sungai Kemasik estuary, due to the shallow conditions. He explained that his boat cannot pass through the river mouth until dredging works are completed.

Meanwhile, Kemasik Area Fishermen's Association (PNK) manager Sabarino Mat Hassan stated that the association had submitted an application to the DID last month, requesting the department to deepen the river mouth. He expressed hope for prompt action and urged the DID to conduct a comprehensive study to prevent recurring sedimentation at the river mouth after the deepening work is carried out.