LANGKAWI: The construction of a brand new 100-metre wavebreaker at the Chenang jetty is set to bring cheer to the island’s fishing community.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said RM3.2 million has been allocated towards the construction of the wavebreakers, which will resolve the problem of strong wind and high waves faced by fishermen in the area.
He also announced a RM500,000 allocation to build a new jetty in Kuala Teriang. The new jetty, he said, will benefit 310 fishermen who dock in the area.
“The government, through the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Ministry, has also applied to the Implementation Coordination Unit last year and saw a need to build wavebreakers to strengthen the existing structure.
“The government has also agreed to approve a RM3.2 million allocation to resolve the issue of strong wind and waves experienced by the local fishing community at the Chenang jetty docking area,” he said, to loud cheers from the local fishermen.
Najib was speaking at an event with the fishermen community at the National Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) fishing jetty in Chenang, today.
He said the government has channelled RM30.5 million to 868 fisherrmen in Langkawi, in the form of monthly cost of living allowances, in order to improve their livelihood.
“LKIM has also allocated the same budget this year for Langkawi fishermen who receive the aid. In addition, the fishermen here already receive a landing incentive of RM0.10 per kilogramme, with RM172,546 paid out last year, and RM2.81 million allocated since 2013.
“To improve the level of comfort of fishermen’s families, LKIM had since 2013 also approved RM3.87 million in allocation to 335 fishermen in Langkawi in order to either upgrade their homes or build new ones.
He said the government has already allocated RM33.26 million for fishermen’s facilities such as the construction of the LKIM fishermen’s jetty in Chenang, building wavebreakers in Kuala Teriang, fixing fishermen’s houses, building a fishing jetty in Kilim, as well as upgrading the Penarak LKIM Complex, among others.
At the same event, Najib also launched the Village Street Lights Project, carried out by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
“This initiative, with a RM100 million government allocation, will enable the public to reap benefits. In Langkawi alone, 537 street lights in were installed in villages last May and completed by October 27 the same year.
“This has benefited almost 53,500 people from 107 villages. Once the 8,086 street lights in village roads - costing RM6.12 million - in 15 parliamentary districts in Kedah, are completed, the state will be lit up with hope and success,” he said.
The same event saw the turnout of almost 1,000 fishermen, who received their monthly RM200 cost of living allowance as well as essential goods.
Also present were Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and Langkawi Member of Parliament Datuk Nawawi Ahmad. -- Reporting by ADIE SURI ZULKEFLI, MUHAAMAD HAFIS NAWAWI and AIZAT SHARIF.