Malaysia Coastal Fishermen Benefit From GTP

By Mohamad Bakri Darus BACHOK (Kelantan,Malaysia), June 9 (Bernama) -- The sight of a group of fishermen in their traditional garb, including the traditional head-dress 'semutar,' toiling to push their boat onto the shore is often immortalised on canvas art or in photographs. Under the scorching sun, they work in groups of up to 20, all using their muscle power. They roll the heavy wooden boats over round tree trunks one after the other, slowly bringing all their boats to the shore. The same collective effort is repeated when they go back to sea. Although this entire scene appears like a primitive routine, this was a regular feature of work for the fishermen on the east coast. In those days, there were fewer jetties than today, so they had to land their boats on the shore and often 'park' them behind their homes. However, the open beach is not a safe place, and the tides and gigantic waves of the South China Sea could have washed away their boats. Hence, in vulnerable areas, the boats were dragged up to 100 metres inland. IT IS MUCH EASIER NOW The captivating scene described above is a scene from the past. Today, most of the wooden fishing boats have been replaced with fibreglass ones, and taking the boats ashore is a much easier task. A general observation of Malawi beach in Bachok district reveals that the fishermen now use a wheeled platform to pull their boats to the shore in a less laborious manner. Although the task is no longer daunting, it still captivates visitors on the beach, who use this opportunity to photograph the effort, while some even buy fresh fish from these fishermen. However, a group of fishermen in Kuala Rekam Village have discovered a much more innovative method, which involves the use of a 'winch' to pull the boat up to 100 metres inland! Mohd Rashidi Abdul Rahman, 43, who is a fisherman, noted that with the wheeled platform and the winch, it only takes two people to bring a 6.3 metres (19-feet) fibreglass boat to shore. Now there are 20 boats 'parked' between the coconut trees about 100 metres away from the shoreline, and their owners need not worry about any gigantic waves. "We are thankful to Dr Awang Adek Hussin (head of Bachok UMNO and the deputy finance minister), who contributed RM10,000 (US$3,141.69) towards the winch. Life is much easier now, and our boats are safe," he said. WINCHING BOATS In fact, the winch is now available in most fishing areas that do not have proper jetties, thanks to the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) that has extended the winch facility to fishermen living far away from jetties. The winch is just one of the many benefits under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) that are enjoyed by about 400 fishermen in the villages located around the jetty in 'Pengkalan Petah'. More than 100 A Class fishing boats belonging to coastal fishermen use the jetty – which was completed in 2009 – to unload their catch, and there is another jetty nearby where they can stock their boats with subsidised diesel and ice. "It was difficult in those days, as the jetty was made of wood, but now it is better, and there is even a covered place to repair the nets; it is also easy to source diesel and ice," said Che Abdul Rahman Che Ali, 43, who is also a fisherman. GOVERNMENT TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME The general manager of the Bachok Area Fishermen's Association, Zainal Rashid Zakaria, noted that the government has rolled out numerous programmes through LKIM to help increase the fishermen's income, especially that of the coastal fishermen who fish within five nautical miles from the shore. "There are 1,200 fishermen in Bachok district, and 90 per cent of them are coastal fishermen who have vastly benefited from GTP. Their monthly income is between RM500 (US$157.09) and RM2,000 (US$628.34)," he remarked. He listed out the numerous benefits that the fishing community has enjoyed under GTP – subsidised diesel sold at RM1.25 (US$0.39) per litre, a monthly living allowance of RM200 (US$62.83), a 10-sen incentive for every 10 kg of fish that they land and assistance for building a new home or repairing an existing one. "Those who qualify under 'E-Kasih' can apply for fishing gear like nets, engines and even boats. LKIM always monitors the situation in the community to ensure that the people improve their livelihood through the assistance provided," he explained. Zainal Rashid also mentioned programmes that involved the fishermen's wives in activities such as making keropok (fish fritters), salted fish and budu (anchovy sauce). The best benefit comes from the insurance scheme for fishermen, effective from May 15, in which the qualifying fishermen stand to enjoy death and accident benefits of up to RM100,000 (US$31,416.90), including hospitalisation and other benefits. Dr Awang Adek noted that the fishermen represented the bulk of the low income earners and were in need of the government's help. "Their income is not fixed; during the wet spell, they can't go out to sea," he remarked, describing the tribulations of life faced by the fishing community. The good tidings enjoyed by the fishermen in Bachok under GTP are applicable to the fishermen in other districts of Kelantan as well. -- BERNAMA