Handing over of boats to Penang fishermen to end in 2026

Published by The Star Online• 03/12/2023

Smoother ride: Mohamed (fourth from left) at the handover of the boat and marine engine assistance to eligible fishermen in the Penang South Island (PSI) project. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN: The process of handing over boat and marine engine assistance to eligible fishermen in the Penang South Island (PSI) project area is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026, says Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus.

He said 318 fishermen in the Level 1 area, namely Permatang Tepi Laut, Sungai Batu, Gertak Sanggul and Teluk Kumbar, registered with the Fisheries Department would be eligible for boat and engine assistance under the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) scheme.

“The handing over of the boats and engines, as well as related equipment, has been done in stages since last year to ensure the boat procurement and construction process can go through smoothly since there are many recipients.

“We are targeting handing over 10 boats each month, but it depends on the process of boat procurement, construction and supply of related equipment, which takes time,” he told Bernama at yesterday’s ceremony to present the boats and engines and prizes for excellence and admission to institutions of higher learning (IPT) at Unit Nelayan Permatang Tepi Laut here.

At the event, 38 fishermen from Permatang Tepi Laut received mock boat keys and engines from Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Dr Mohamed Abdul Hamid, while 12 fishermen received nets.

Meanwhile, 11 fishermen’s children received prizes for excellence and admission into IPT.

Farizan said Koperasi Komuniti Pulau Pinang Selatan Bhd was currently managing the boat procurement and supply process under the supervision of Silicon Island Development (SID), the developer of the PSI project.

Farizan said as of yesterday, 41 fishermen from Permatang Tepi Laut and the group of early recipients from Level 1 had received the assistance.

Mohamad said the assistance would enable fishermen to travel further as their new boats were bigger, thus improving their income and socioeconomic condition.