RM10 Million for Special Fishermen Housing Project

TUMPAT, July 1 — The government has allocated RM10 million this year for the Special Fishermen Housing Project (PKPN) nationwide in an effort to uplift the living standards and socio-economic conditions of the local fishing community.

Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil stated that the funding, which is managed directly by the agency, is divided into two primary components: the construction of new residential units and the repair of existing homes belonging to eligible fishermen.

He detailed that over RM6.8 million has been designated to repair 344 homes across the country, while more than RM3.1 million has been set aside to build 36 new houses.

“So far, the housing repair project has reached 80 per cent completion and is expected to be fully completed by August or September this year. Meanwhile, the construction of new houses is expected to be completed this year. It is taking longer because it involves land ownership issues, including inherited land,” he said.

Muhammad Faiz shared these updates with members of the press following the LKIM Madani Get-Together Session with Kelantan fishermen at the Fish Inspection Complex in Pengkalan Kubor today. Also in attendance was Kelantan LKIM director Sobri Ibrahim.

Expanding on the financial breakdown, Muhammad Faiz noted that the government has allocated RM84,000 per unit in Peninsular Malaysia and RM95,000 per unit in Sabah and Sarawak for the new construction projects.

“The government is also providing up to RM20,000 for each fisherman’s house to be repaired under the programme. In Kelantan alone, RM388,000 has been allocated for PKPN this year,” he said.

Pivoting to Aquaculture for Income Sustainability

In a separate development, Muhammad Faiz highlighted that LKIM is actively encouraging traditional fishermen to transition into the aquaculture sector to secure alternative streams of income and decrease their dependency on conventional open-sea fishing.

He emphasized that this strategic shift is essential given the steady depletion of natural marine resources and the climbing operational costs of fishing—particularly fuel prices—even with ongoing government subsidies firmly in place.

“We want fishermen to engage in business or the aquaculture sector and not rely heavily on conventional fishing. The government targets that by 2030, 40 per cent of the country’s fish production will come from aquaculture. It would be a loss if fishermen do not seize the opportunity to get involved,” he said.

To support this vision, the government has channeled RM400,000 through LKIM to the Kelantan State Fishermen’s Association (PENEKA) specifically for a tank-based prawn farming aquaculture project.

“This initiative will continue to be expanded to other states to boost the nation’s aquaculture production and strengthen the income source of the fishing community,” he concluded.

-NMT