HUTAN MELINTANG: The March 1 implementation of the temporary work permit (PKLS) for foreign crew employed by deep-sea boat operators has been postponed, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said among the reasons for the move was to ensure fish prices would remain affordable.

“The Federal Government is aware of the plight of fishermen, who are plagued by unfavourable weather conditions, a dwindling catch and enforcement by various government agencies.

“But while the Government does what it can to ease the burden of our fishermen, the prices of fish are still very expensive. For example, ikan kembung (Indian mackerel) costs RM20 per kilo.

“I hope with the postponement of the PLKS, along with the diesel subsidy, cost of living allowance and fishermen’s incentive that you have been getting from the Government, you can work with us to bring down the prices of fish so that the rakyat are not deprived of their source of protein,” he said in his speech.

His announcement of the postponement of the PLKS was met with thunderous applause from the 1,261 fishermen in the Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency during the function at Dewan Serbaguna Hutan Melintang yesterday.

The fishermen also received RM339,300 in cost of living allowance from the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM).

Also present were Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Indus­try Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Perak MCA chief Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

The National Fishermen’s Association had reportedly said the PLKS, set at RM1,500 per foreign crew member, would burden boat operators, who usually have 20 to 30 crew members per boat.

This was especially so during the uncertain economic situation, as fishermen had to bear the cost of diesel and ice to keep their catch fresh apart from paying their crews and feeding them, the association said.

The PLKS, which affects some 141,000 registered fishermen nationwide, was supposed to have been implemented last October.

But it was postponed to March 1 this year to give boat operators more time to prepare their documents and to save up for the purpose.

In his speech, Dr Ahmad Zahid told the board to look into the condition of the wooden jetties in Bagan Datuk.

“Many are rotting while some have already collapsed. We are asking LKIM to build new concrete jetties for the safety of our fishermen,” he added.

-The STAR-