PAITAN: A fishermen’s market will be built in the small district as an effort to improve the livelihood of the fishing community, said Agriculture and Food Industries Minister (Mafi) Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee.
He said it is among the initiatives of Mafi and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) to increase the income of local fishermen.
“This will give fishermen the opportunity to market their catch directly to consumers,” he said when speaking at the Paitan Fisherman’s Market Ground Breaking Ceremony in conjunction with the “Pesta Dempet Nelayan” at the Paitan Fisherman’s Market Site, here, Sunday.
Also present were Rural Development Assistant Minister cum Labuk Assemblyman Samad Jambri, LKIM Director General Yusoff Othman, LKIM Sabah Director Mohd Jamil Abdullah, Paitan Assistant District Officer Jolon Joe Majambu, LKIM Region II Sandakan Regional Officer Hasbie Mokti and Paitan Fishermen’s Association (PNK) Board of Directors Chairman Barjahun Hiyah.
Earlier, Ronald also handed over a mock cheque for RM200,000 for the Touch Point Assistance to 20 fishermen in Paitan.
The Paitan Fisherman Market involves a cost of RM200,000 and will be the 12th fisherman market in Sabah and the 136th in Malaysia.
It will provide facilities for fishermen around Paitan including Pulau Jambongan to market their catch without the help of middlemen.
Ronald said the same initiative conducted in other areas had increased the income of fishermen from below RM1,000 per month to more than RM2,000 per month.
He said the fishermen’s market is constructed in a more organised and centralised manner under one roof with infrastructure facilities and comfortable equipment provided by LKIM.
“The Government through LKIM always plays an important and effective role in looking after the welfare and continuing to improve the socio-economic position of fishermen and the national fisheries sector,” said Ronald.
He added that the Government through MAFI and LKIM would continue to ensure the welfare of fishermen across the country who are among the front lines of the agro-food sector and play an important role in ensuring the continued security of the country’s food supply.
Two fishermen, Mohd Anuar Asing from Kg Pulau Jambongan, and Abd Aziz Bin Rajes from Kg. Malalin, Jambongan, hoped that with the Paitan Fishermen’s Market, it would enable them to market their catch comfortably and reduce costs compared to having to go to Kanibongan to sell them to middlemen.
Meanwhile, Ronald said that the establishment of the Paitan Area Fishermen’s Association (PNK) continued to safeguard the welfare of its members who were registered fishermen with the PNK by offering various assistance.
Jamil said PNK Paitan has 200 members, adding that Paitan has about 500 fishermen and urged those unregistered to immediately register as PNK members to receive the benefits.
