Melaka: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) allocates about RM1 million annually to help fishermen nationwide acquire fishing equipment under its touch point initiative, aimed at increasing productivity and catches. LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the assistance covered equipment such as engines, boats, nets, trawl nets, insulation, and lubricating oil, in addition to the RM3 million allocated by the government under the national budget.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Muhammad Faiz emphasized the initiative's goal to enhance fishermen's productivity by providing them with modern equipment. "We want to bring fishermen closer so that their productivity increases. With new equipment and engines, they can go further out to sea to secure a larger catch. New nets and boats will also encourage them to increase their fish catches. That is what we hope for from this assistance," he stated. He was speaking after attending the Rahmah Mesra MADANI Programme with the South Melaka Area Fishermen's Association (PNK) at the Lereh Fishermen's Base, Tanjung Kling. Also present was Melaka LKIM director Darleena Baharudin.

Muhammad Faiz revealed that 31 B40 fishermen received touch point assistance worth RM50,000 through the programme, which included a 40-horsepower outboard engine, nets, fish barrels, and 2T engine oil. He noted feedback showed an increase in catches among recipients of the assistance, encouraging LKIM to continue the initiative.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Faiz reported that Malaysia recorded total declared fish landings of 644,850,772 kilogrammes (kg) in 2025, while Melaka recorded 781,302 kg in fish landings that year, among the lowest compared with other states. "The situation is partly due to Melaka's small maritime area and the state relies on Zone A coastal fishermen. Therefore, we encourage fishermen in Melaka, especially those involved in the aquaculture sector, to increase fish production, including through the prawn farming project in Sebatu, Melaka Barat," he explained.

He added that local fish landings had been affected to some extent by climate change, including typhoons and hot weather. However, fish supplies in the market remained sufficient as Malaysia also imports certain fish species.