Sunday 14 October 2012

EASING THE BURDEN OF FISHERMEN





ALLOWANCE..... Rosdek Haji Ismail (middle) receiving allowance from Minister of Local Government and Housing, Hajiji Noor (left) and Jamaludin Othman (right).

By : ELAINE MAH

SABAH'S COASTAL fishermen are among the poorest people in Sabah. They eke out a living from day to day and are always threatened by inclement weather. No longer, it seems.

At a special ceremony recently Minister of Local Government and Housing, Hajiji Noor handed out a RM200 monthly subsistence allowance to 400 fishermen in the Tuaran District. Funded by the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM), a total of RM80,000 was handed out in what appears to be the government's most recent assistance programme to the fishing community.

In his speech Hajiji revealed that other than the monthly subsistence allowance, this year, the government also helps the fishermen in the Tuaran District to repair their houses.

Hajiji said that a sum of RM800,000 has been allocated to him for the purpose of house repairs for the fishing community. A total of 118 fishermen's houses in the Tuaran district are currently undergoing repairs.

To 44 year-old Rosdek Haji Ismail, the allocation of the subsistence allowance by the government is a welcomed contribution. His earnings as a fisherman have been most erratic. On a good month, he earns up to RM1000 from fishing.

On a bad month however, Rosdek's earnings may drop to a mere RM400. The sole breadwinner of a family of five, Rosdek finds that his burden is significantly eased by the monthly subsistence allowance.

In his speech, Director of LKIM Jamaludin Othman said that the subsistence allowance is one of the various government contributions to assist the fishing community.

Amongst others, the insurance scheme introduced earlier this year will enable fishermen to enjoy protection in the event of injuries or death. Fishermen encountering accidents at sea will be able to claim up to RM100,000. The scheme will also bear any medical cost incurred as a result of injuries suffered while working.

"The abundance of government assistance shows that the government care for the welfare of the fishing community," Othman said. (Insight Sabah)

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