ALOR SETAR: The fishing community in Kuala Kedah has expressed appreciation to the government for its continued concern for their welfare and well-being through various incentives and assistance announced under Budget 2026.
Several fishermen said the continued subsidies and incentives, including diesel subsidy at RM1.65 per litre, a monthly living allowance of up to RM300, and catch incentives totalling RM160 million, have greatly helped them cope with the various challenges they face.
Zakaria Said, 51, from Tebengau, Kuala Kedah, said the government’s decision to continue providing these incentives has helped ease the burden of fishermen, due to the uncertainty of their daily catch.
“We are relieved that Budget 2026 continues the living allowance of RM300 per month, which is essential in coping with the rising cost of living,” he told Bernama when met here.
However, Zakaria said the government should consider increasing the daily diesel subsidy quota, particularly for Zone A fishermen, as the current allocation is insufficient to cover daily operational needs.
“We hope the fuel quota at the subsidised price will not be limited to only 50 litres per day for Zone A fishermen, as it is insufficient and forces us to purchase additional diesel at the costly market price,” he said.
Zone A fishermen are those who operate within five nautical miles of the coast and generally rely entirely on their daily catch as their main source of income.
Another fisherman, Jamil Ahmad, 41, expressed appreciation to the government for its continued attention to the welfare of fishermen through the various allocations and assistance programmes provided.
However, he hoped the announced incentives would be further improved in the future and distributed fairly among those most in need.
“Many fishermen in this area choose not to go to sea when the weather is unfavourable or when the catch is poor.
“Therefore, we hope that improvements can be made in the future, particularly in terms of allowances and subsidised diesel quotas,” he said.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2026, announced that the government would continue the fishermen’s living allowance of up to RM300 per month, along with catch incentives totalling RM160 million, and subsidised diesel assistance at a rate of RM1.65 per litre.
The government has also allocated RM20 million to help fishermen upgrade their vessels, with the aim of reducing dependence on foreign skippers and crews, as well as replacing Zone B kenka trawlers boats to curb the use of unsustainable fishing vessels. – Bernama
