KOTA KINABALU: Local fishermen are forced to drastically reduce their fishing trips from four times to just once a month due to irregularities in the distribution of subsidised diesel in Sandakan.
Urging the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia to investigate the issue, Sandakan Fishing (Tongkang) Association chairman Ng Chi Tshung (pic) said the government had allocated 2.8 million litres of subsidised diesel monthly to fishermen in the district.
“This fuel is priced at RM1.68 per litre, significantly lower than the RM2.15 per litre at petrol stations.
“It was previously sufficient for the 426 fishing vessels operating across four jetties in the area, including three in Bandar Ramai-Ramai Karamunting and one in Batu Putih Mile 7,” said Ng.
However, he said that since July this year, the supply had become insufficient.
"The diesel is now being distributed to six jetties instead of the original four," he said in a statement.
Ng claims that the two newly registered jetties under authority were not operational and had no fishing vessels, and he believed this discrepancy was causing the shortage faced by Sandakan’s fishing community.
The reduced fishing trips led to a sharp decline in fish supplies, with an estimated reduction of 60% to 70% in fisheries output in the Sandakan district.
Ng said the shortage has not only impacted the fishermen’s livelihoods but has also disrupted the supply of fresh fish to local markets, raising concerns among consumers.
“We hope the authority would conduct a thorough investigation into the registration of the two new jetties,” he said, stressing the need for transparency and proper oversight.
He warned that if the issue was not addressed, it could have long-term repercussions on Sandakan's fishing industry and the district's overall food security.
