ALOR GAJAH - Compensation amounting to RM5.4 million is expected to be distributed to those affected by the development of the Kuala Linggi International Port (Klip), including fishermen and licensed fishing crew members, in stages starting this September.
State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said of that amount, as much as RM4.3 million involved compensation payments to west Melaka fishermen and some in Negeri Sembilan.
He said as much as RM1 million will be channelled into a special fund for the use of fishermen in the west Melaka area, including implementing downstream economic activities, while RM100,000 will be allocated to develop fishing infrastructure, including the improvement of fishing jetties and other fishing facilities.
"We will also contact the Negeri Sembilan government to obtain information regarding the number of fishermen affected so that the compensation payment can be made,” he said after the presentation of the cost of living incentives for Alor Gajah fishermen here today.
A total of 316 fishermen in Alor Gajah received incentives for phases two and three involving a sum of RM158,000 from Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Dr Akmal said the compensation was paid due to fishing activities in the KLIP development area are expected to be affected, thus affecting the fishermen's income.
Meanwhile, he said, the fishermen’s housing initiative under the Melaka Fishermen's Resettlement Project (PSN) developed in Kuala Linggi is expected to be completed this August.
In another development, he said the state Fisheries Department, the Marine Department and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) have been instructed to investigate claims made by fishermen in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, on alleged encroachment of fishing areas by Melaka fishermen. - BERNAMA