GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government remains committed to strengthening the state’s economy and safeguarding the welfare of fishermen, dismissing allegations that there are no solutions to issues faced by the group, particularly those affected by the Silicon Island project.
State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said that throughout the 26-month implementation period of the Silicon Island reclamation works, various compensation measures had been continuously carried out under the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) to benefit affected fishermen.
“The state government maintains that issues raised during a recent press conference by opposition leaders stemmed from misunderstandings among the fishermen involved, and that their concerns were exploited by certain parties for political purposes.
“The Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) has been instructed to provide face-to-face explanations to the affected fishermen,” he said in a statement today.
Local media previously reported that an opposition leader claimed hundreds of fishermen in the Barat Daya district were still facing difficulties, including declining catches, rising operating costs and delays in promised compensation more than 26 months after the Silicon Island reclamation project began.
Fahmi explained that the distribution of the boat and engine assistance under SIMP was carried out in phases, in accordance with suppliers’ capacity, technical compliance requirements and safety specifications set by the Fisheries Department.
“For the record, assistance involving boats and engines had already begun earlier, particularly for fishermen with dilapidated vessels, even before the Silicon Island project received final administrative approval.
“All licensed and active tekongs from the Permatang Tepi Laut Unit, which directly faces the project area, have fully received the assistance. For the remaining three fishing units, deliveries are continuing in a balanced manner, with a target of seven boats per month for each unit.
“Although these units are located outside the project’s front zone, the state government has continued to assist in line with its original commitment, even though the project currently involves only one island,” he said.
Fahmi added that SIMP registration closed on March 31, 2024, with 877 out of 905 eligible fishermen — or 97 per cent — having registered. To date, RM11.8 million in ex-gratia payments has been disbursed to 795 fishermen.
“In addition, other forms of assistance have been channelled, including educational aid, the establishment of the South Penang Community Cooperative Berhad, implementation of the PSI Ecology Offset Masterplan (POEM), and the renewal of 90 per cent of fishing licences by the Fisheries Department, with the remainder pending due to non-compliance with application requirements,” he said. – BERNAMA
