Shalan Jum'at (left) and his customers at Pasar Pendekar Laut. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
As the son of a fisherman, Shalan Jum’at has witnessed, all his life, how hard it was for his dad to earn a decent wage from their honest day’s work. Desiring to see the fishermen in Tanjung Kupang, Johor, earn a fair wage for their hard labour, Shalan started Pasar Pendekar Laut (Sea Warriors’ Market) at Gelang Patah, Johor, several years ago.
“I saw the struggles that my father and other fishermen had to go through just to put food on the table, only to be exploited by wealthy middlemen who would pay a pittance for the catch but resell it at high prices in markets in the city,” says the 35-year-old fisherman-turned-entrepreneur.
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The fishermen's friend
Shalan Jum'at (left) and his customers at Pasar Pendekar Laut. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
One of the fishermen who sends his catch to Pasar Pendekar Laut. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan helps to make new nets for the fishermen. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at started Pasar Pendekar Laut because he wanted to help the local fishermen get a fair price for their catch. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at weighing the barracuda at Pasar Pendekar Laut. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at (right) weighing the grouper at Pasar Pendekar Laut (before the pandemic). Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan cleaning the fish for customers (before the pandemic). Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at, with his giant grouper, is very particular about the quality of his seafood. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Walkway to Pak Ngah Jetty and Pasar Pendekar Laut at Gelang Patah, Johor. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at (right) and the fishermen at the jetty leading to Pasar Pendekar Laut (before the pandemic). Dr Serina Rahman
With their Pasar Pendekar Laut T-shirts.Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at (left) with two fishermen on Pak Ngah Jetty which leads to Pasar Pendekar Laut in Gelang Patah, Johor. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at (left) with his customer at the new Pasar Pendekar Laut banner. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at (left) with his regular customers and the catch of the day. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
Shalan Jum'at (left) with his customers. Photo: Dr Serina Rahman
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