KOTA KINABALU: Already struggling with an unstable income, fisherman Asmadi Jaffar now faces an even greater challenge – alleged irregularities in the distribution of subsidised diesel in Sandakan.
Like many in his family in generations past, the native of Pulau Tanjung Aru, a small island off Sandakan on the east coast, has spent his entire life as a fisherman.
It is, however, not a lucrative profession, with his earnings heavily dependent on the weather.
Lately, the 30-year-old has found it difficult to make ends meet, especially with a wife and a five-year-old child to support.
The current diesel supply shortage has impacted a total of 426 fishing boat operators in Sandakan, forcing many to leave their boats idle due to a lack of fuel.
“We used to make four or five fishing trips a month, but now we are down to just one,” Asmadi said.
Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong has lodged a report with the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) and the Fishermen’s Association to ensure there is no leakage or mismanagement in the diesel distribution process.
He said the current subsidy quota was insufficient, leaving fishermen unable to head out to sea while they wait for the next allocation.
“This issue must be urgently addressed by the government.
“It’s not the first time fishermen have raised this concern yet no firm action has been taken.”
Chong warned that if the issue persists, it would disrupt the fishermen’s routine, reduce fish supplies and lead to price hikes that would ultimately burden consumers.
Sandakan Fishing (Tongkang) Association chairman Ng Chi Tshung earlier said the government’s allocation of 2.8 million litres of subsidised diesel monthly to Sandakan fishermen had been sufficient for 426 vessels operating across four jetties.
But it became inadequate since July when the supply was distributed to six jetties instead of four, he said.
