LKIM earmarks RM1 million yearly to upgrade fishermen's gear and boost catches

The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) announced a yearly allocation of roughly RM1 million to provide fishing gear to coastal communities across the country. Chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the funds will cover engines, boats, various nets, insulation and lubricating oil as part of a "touch point" assistance program, complementing a RM3 million national-budget provision. At a recent event with the South Melaka Area Fishermen's Association (PNK) at Lereh Fishermen's Base in Tanjung Kling, LKIM director Darleena Baharudin highlighted that 31 B40 fishermen have already received equipment worth RM50,000 each, including a 40-horsepower outboard engine.

Beneficiaries have reported increased catches, encouraging the authority to sustain the initiative. LKIM also pointed out that Melaka recorded only 781,302 kg of fish landings in 2025, among the lowest in Malaysia, partly because of its small maritime zone and climate-related challenges such as typhoons and heat. To address this, officials urged local aquaculture expansion, citing a prawn-farming project in Sebatu, Melaka Barat.