Kuantan: A total of 36 fishermen from Kampung Pantai Pelindung here received food basket assistance through the Welfare and Natural Disaster Fund of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) to help ease the cost of living, particularly during the monsoon season.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil stated that the assistance was channelled to low-income fishermen from the B40 group who were registered with the Kuantan Area Fishermen's Association (PNK). The aid includes daily food supplies such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, flour, soy sauce, sardine, coffee, and tea. Muhammad Faiz made this announcement at the Rahmah Mesra MADANI programme with Kuantan PNK fishermen.

Additionally, Muhammad Faiz noted that five fishermen from Balok received assistance from the LKIM Welfare and Natural Disaster Fund amounting to RM7,000 after being affected by floods and extraordinary high tides that capsized their boats last November. He also mentioned that the total assistance under this fund for 2025 was RM95,150, benefitting 51 recipients.

At the same event, Muhammad Faiz announced an additional allocation of RM50,000 to upgrade the fishermen's shed in Kampung Beserah in 2026. He also handed over a mock cheque for the fishermen's shed in Kampung Pantai Pelindung, which was built at a cost of RM50,000.

Meanwhile, one of the aid recipients, Azan Tuan Mamat, 60, expressed gratitude for the cash assistance to replace his boat, which sank due to heavy rain and strong currents. Azan highlighted that the assistance significantly alleviated his financial burden, especially for family expenses. He recounted that the heavy rain and major floods in Balok last November caused extensive damage, including to engines, nets, and fishing equipment, with losses estimated between RM5,000 and RM6,000.