Fisherfolk want compensation
FORTY fishermen in Kampung Plentong Tengah in Johor Baru say that their livelihood is being affected by the construction of the second Permas Jaya bridge, which cuts through Sungai Tebrau and Sungai Plentong.
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| FISH DON’T LIKE THIS WATER: Fisherman Md Syah Yunus showing a sample of water from Sungai Lunchu, which is said to be heavily polluted. |
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| RAHIM SALAM: The Kampung Plentong Tengah Fishermen Association chief says his group was not compensated by a developer despite being part of the lobby group |
They say the developer has yet to compensate them for their loss of income due to the project.
Kampung Plentong Tengah Fishermen Association chief Rahim Salam, 55, said six associations in south Johor received their compensations of RM300 per fisherman before Hari Raya.
"We, too, helped to lobby for the compensation. According to the original agreement, any compensation received should be distributed equally to all seven fishermen's associations.
"We have a right to the compensation if the other fishermen's associations received it as well," he said.
The other associations are in Pandan, Bakar Batu, Sungai Balak, Hulu Plentong, Stulang and Senibong. There are a total of 200 fishermen in the six areas.
Rahim urged the bridge developer to speed up making the compensation to them. He said the fishermen were facing a hard time because of the pollution caused by the project. Among the heavily polluted areas is Sungai Lunchu, he claimed.
He denied that it was a matter of being envious of others. Rather, it was about standing up for their rights.
"Some fishermen are forced to go 30km away to catch fish because the waters near the embankment is polluted. Lately, we have had to go out two or three times a day because of our poor catch."
Meanwhile, Rahim's deputy, Md Syah Yunus, 45, said most of the association members found it hard to make ends meet.
He said their equipment was frequently damaged because of the pollution.
He said fishermen were also spending more on diesel as they were forced to travel further to find a more bountiful catch.
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