KUANTAN, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) will take firm action against fishermen associations involved in the leakage of subsidised diesel, including shutting down fuel sales centres found to have breached regulations.
Its chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the authority would not compromise on such misconduct and would refer cases to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for appropriate legal action.
“Fishermen associations involved in diesel sales must understand that this is a subsidy, not a right. It is a government allocation provided to help reduce operating costs.
“If we fail to properly comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), we may face investigations and fines, which will ultimately cause losses to the associations themselves,” he told reporters after the Rahmah Mesra MADANI with Pahang Fishermen 2026 programme at Pantai Sepat here today.
Muhammad Faiz said associations managing diesel sales must fully comply with the prescribed SOPs to ensure the subsidy is not misused and reaches eligible fishermen.
He was commenting on the Kuala Selangor Sessions Court’s decision to fine the Sungai Besar Area Fishermen Association RM320,000 for misusing subsidised diesel meant for fishermen two years ago.
Meanwhile, he said the government is enhancing preparations to ensure sufficient fish supply during the monsoon season, amid the possibility of fishing disruptions along the East Coast due to rough seas and adverse weather.
Muhammad Faiz said fishermen in the East Coast could still go out to sea when conditions permit, particularly those operating in deeper zones such as Zones B, C and C2, while coastal operations are more affected.
He said national fish supply would also be supported by sources from the West Coast and northern Peninsular Malaysia, as well as cooperation from private sector players to release stored stocks into the market during the monsoon season, including imported fish.
He added that fishermen are encouraged to venture into aquaculture as an alternative source of income when they are unable to go out to sea, including small-scale fish farming in tanks, which can now be carried out at lower costs.
The government also provides a RM300 monthly cost-of-living assistance to fishermen to help ease their financial burden.
-- BERNAMA