PHNOM PENH (Bernama): The global fuel crisis triggered by the military conflict in West Asia is now hurting Cham Muslim fishermen along the capital’s Tonle Sap River.
Some 150 fishing families are struggling to cope with steep diesel prices, as they rely on the fuel to power their shanty boats for fishing. This has put their livelihoods at risk.
The Ministry of Commerce has raised diesel prices to a record high of 8,100 riel (RM8.19) effective Saturday.
By contrast, it only cost the fishermen roughly 3,850 riel (RM3.87) per litre of diesel in late February.
"Life is a struggle for our fishermen since the fuel prices started to rise. We need about five litres on average daily and at least 10 litres if we travel further along the river.
"Now our catch has also been declining and we sell our fish at the same price. Our survival is becoming tough every other day,” Chonkah village chief Eii Yu told Bernama from his boat, under a blazing mid-morning heat that touched 35 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
The village is located in Chroy Changvar district at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap River.
The river that meanders through Phnom Penh is part of the Mekong River system.
On the banks of the Tonle Sap River, a profound sense of melancholy envelopes these fishermen and their families as they shelter on their boats in poor conditions without basic necessities.
This isolated community has been somewhat forgotten as the nation develops over the past two decades. Rapid urbanisation is steadily encroaching on the small plots of land where they have squatted for years, forcing them to move further along the riverbanks.
Even their once spacious wooden surau - central to their spiritual life - has been squeezed into a cramped corner.
The rising cost of living, climate change, depleting fish yields, irregular income, and poverty continue to haunt this community.
In stark contrast, across the Tonle Sap River, stylish modern towers, hotels, and a vibrant cosmopolitan character symbolise Phnom Penh’s growing stature in the region.
"We are struggling to catch two kilogrammes of fish daily but have to spend so much on fuel. It's not a viable job. Families with four or five children have to feed and school them. These are a heavy financial burden for us,” said the 66-year old Eii Yu, who spent a large part of his life as a fisherman after learning the traditional skills from his father.
The current fishing season which started this month is set to end in June. Once it does, it is bound to bring about another tale of unimaginable misery for the fisherfolk.
Nevertheless, this tiny Cham Muslim fishing community continues to demonstrate its indomitable spirit in the face of hardship.
-- BERNAMA
TAGS:
