Pengkalan kubor: The government has allocated RM10 million this year for the Special Fishermen Housing Project (PKPN) nationwide to improve the living standards and socio-economic conditions of the fishing community.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil stated that the allocation managed by the agency comprises two main components: the construction of new homes and the repair of houses owned by eligible fishermen. Over RM6.8 million will be used to repair 344 fishermen's homes nationwide, while more than RM3.1 million is earmarked for constructing 36 new houses.

"So far, the housing repair project has reached 80 per cent completion and is expected to be fully completed by August or September this year. Meanwhile, the construction of new houses is expected to be completed this year. It is taking longer because it involves land ownership issues, including inherited land," Muhammad Faiz explained during the LKIM Madani Get-Together Session with Kelantan fishermen at the Fish Inspection Complex in Pengkalan Kubor. Kelantan LKIM director Sobri Ibrahim was also present at the event.

Muhammad Faiz further elaborated that the government has allocated RM84,000 per unit in Peninsular Malaysia and RM95,000 per unit in Sabah and Sarawak for the new housing construction project for fishermen. Additionally, the government is providing up to RM20,000 for each fisherman's house to be repaired under the programme. In Kelantan alone, RM388,000 has been allocated for PKPN this year.

In a separate development, Muhammad Faiz mentioned that his agency is now encouraging fishermen to enter the aquaculture sector as an alternative source of income and to reduce their reliance on conventional fishing. This initiative is crucial due to dwindling fisheries resources and rising fishing operation costs, especially fuel, despite the government's continued subsidies for fishermen.

Muhammad Faiz highlighted that by 2030, the government targets that 40 per cent of the country's fish production will come from aquaculture, urging fishermen to seize the opportunity to engage in this sector. To support this aspiration, the government, through LKIM, has allocated RM400,000 to the Kelantan State Fishermen's Association (PENEKA) for an aquaculture project focused on tank-based prawn farming. This initiative is set to expand to other states to boost the nation's aquaculture production and strengthen the income source of the fishing community.