Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) Mohamad Sabu went to the ground to make certain that the LKIM Pure Soul Program (Program Jiwa Murni LKIM) turns out to be a rousing success today (Jan 11).
The minister also handed out aid to the fishermen in Kedah along with the ministry’s Secretary General Dato’ Haslina Abdul Hamid, Director General of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board, Yusoff Othman, Chairman of the National Fishermen’s Association (NEKMAT), Abdul Hamid Bahari and President/Chief Executive Officer of Agrobank, YM Dato’ Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussein.
Some 690 fishermen from the Kuala Kedah Fishermen’s Association received RM300 each under the Fishermen’s Livelihood Allowance (ESHN) from a total allocation of RM207 000.
In 2022 alone, RM8.08 million has been channelled through the provision of ESHN via the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) for the State of Kedah with 2,224 fisherman as beneficiaries.
“The Ministry through LKIM is always ready and aware of every problem that arises facing by the target group of fishermen in order to ensure that their welfare continues to be empowered while ensuring that their needs are given the right attention,” a statement from LKIM read.
Through LKIM, the ministry is also committed to providing various comprehensive assistance to ease the burden of fishermen. For that purpose, a comprehensive evaluation will be carried out from time to time so that the needs of the target group seek out assistance for them.
In addition to the ESHN, the Touch Point Assistance amounting to RM50 thousand was also presented today to Fisherman’s Association (PNK) in the Kedah. Through this provision, each PNK would receive RM10 thousand to be given to eligible fishermen to purchase fishing equipment such as insulated fishing nets and barrels.
Aid of RM200 per recipient was also presented to 100 poor people under the purview of the Kuala Kedah PNK from Agrobank’s zakat donation amounting to RM20 000 in total in addition to five recipients obtaining the Certificate of Appreciation under the Agro Nisaa Program to fund their needs as a result of the Agrobank and NEKMAT effort. The main objective of this program is to support the fishing community in ensuring the socioeconomic household income of the community fishermen can be improved.
A total of 25 participants, who were divided into 5 groups in Kuala Kedah and its surroundings have benefited from this program with a funding value of over RM150 000. This program is seen to help increase the average income of the recipient by about 40 to 60 percent above their previous income.
An open dialogue was held by the ministry and the Kedah National, State Fishermen’s Associations with the aim of further strengthening the relationship between the ministry with leaders of the Fishermen’s Association and other target groups and to discuss all issues, needs and future directions of the Fishermen’s Association in the State.
The Ministry through LKIM strives and commits to help alleviate the burden borne by the target group of fishermen in addition to ensuring welfare and their safety as they ensure the nation’s food security is guaranteed under any circumstances.
