Floods: LKIM to open mobile markets at affected areas

KUANTAN: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) will direct mobile markets under its agencies to flood-affected locations nationwide with offers of discounts of up to 30 per cent, says chairman Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal.

He said the initiative was an alternative way to assist flood victims apart from giving out free food baskets.

"At the moment, we have eight mobile markets that will be opened at 160 different locations from 9am to 6pm. The move will not only help consumers but also fishermen, especially those affected by the floods,” he said.

Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz made the comments at a press conference after attending a programme hosted by Pahang LKIM at Wisma LKIM in Pahang here today. LKIM director-general Yusoff Othman was also present.

In a related development, he said currently, 277 fishermen in Selangor, Pahang and Melaka have become flood victims and suffered RM2 million losses to their properties and fishing equipment.

"We will provide assistance by giving out cash aid of RM500 to RM1,000 each while those eligible will receive RM10,000 from the disaster fund for them to start over,” he said.

He said fishermen who were affected can also join the Agro-Food Project Redevelopment Program (PPSPA) under the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry (MAFI) that has allocated RM80 million for assistance covering fishery products, aquaculture livestock, food industry and agro-based as well as agro-tourism.

Besides that, he also said 63 LKIM staff who were affected by the floods were also given immediate assistance including cash aid. - Bernama