State govt gives new boats, engines to 98 fishermen

Some of the 98 fishermen during the boat and engine handover ceremony at the Permatang Tepi Laut Fishermen Unit Hall. — Courtesy photo

NEW boats and engines from the Penang government were given to 98 fishermen registered under the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) that is part of the Silicon Island project.

The fishermen from Sungai Batu village as well as Teluk Kumbar and Gertak Sanggul suburbs included 77 boat owners from the Permatang Tepi Laut Fishermen Unit.

A further 194 fishermen from the same village and suburbs will also receive the
assistance.

Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PICSB) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the next batch of recipients will be selected based on the order of their SIMP registration and the condition of their boats and engines.

Even though the fishermen were not directly impacted by the ongoing Penang South Island project, he said the government would continue to support them.

The 930ha nine-year sea reclamation project that began in September 2023 is now focused on Silicon Island, the first of three islands in the development plans.

“Depending on the boat owner’s brand preference, each new boat is 8.2m-long and 2.2m-wide, equipped with high-capacity engines of 90 or 100 horsepower.

“Each eligible Tier 1 boat owner will also receive equipment to help them venture further and achieve higher catches,” Farizan said during the boat and engine handover as well as prayer ceremonies for the construction of fishermen sheds at the Permatang Tepi Laut Fishermen Unit hall.

Farizan also announced that the state had given RM10,599,260 in ex-gratia payments to fishermen registered under the SIMP scheme.

Out of the 877 fishermen under the scheme, 680 have received full payment while 53 have received 75% of their ex-gratia.

“The payment process is ongoing for the remaining fishermen whose supporting documents are still being vetted,” he said.

Under the SIMP scheme, Permatang Tepi Laut boat owners who dock their boats in the Sungai Bayan Lepas area are also eligible for new sheds.

Two prototype sheds were completed and handed over to fishermen in October
2023.Farizan said the remaining 61 sheds will be built in phases.

“Construction for the first phase, consisting of 12 sheds, has already begun and should be completed by August 2025.”

The SIMP scheme also offers up-skilling such as a helmsman course for fishermen seeking other income sources.

To date, 20 fishermen have obtained their Certificate of Competency from the Malaysia Marine Department.

This allows them to offer water transport services.

From this group, five fishermen were hired as helmsmen for the Silicon Island project.

In addition, the SIMP scheme also provides educational aid to fishermen’s children, including the Jaya Didik Tuition Subsidy and Tertiary Entry and Academic Excellence Award Programme.

Permatang Tepi Laut Fishermen Unit head Mohd Kassim Mohamed thanked the state for the SIMP aid.

Also present was Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd strategic communications and stakeholder management director Azmi Mohamad.