Penang: The supply of diesel for fishermen across the nation remains unaffected, as the government continues its subsidy initiative to support the fisheries sector, according to the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil assured that fishermen have not faced any diesel shortages and confirmed the government's ongoing commitment to its subsidy mechanism. "There has been no disruption in supply, with diesel available and the subsidy maintained as before. The only concerns raised are requests for additional quotas, which are still under review because they involve extra government costs," he stated during an event at the Penang Amanah Open House in Teluk Kumbar.

Muhammad Faiz, also the Amanah secretary-general, addressed previous complaints from fishermen about supply disruptions that hindered their ability to fish, leading to a decrease in fish availability. He highlighted that approximately 70 million litres of diesel are allocated each month for over 40,000 fishing vessels nationwide, spanning zones A, B, and C.

The chairman emphasized that the subsidy is aimed at assisting the target group without covering the entire operational costs of fishing activities. Diesel is provided at a subsidized rate of approximately RM1.65 per litre, significantly lower than market prices. Additionally, fishermen using petrol receive about 50 litres per day at a subsidized rate of RM1.56 per litre.

Addressing concerns about fish prices, Muhammad Faiz confirmed that the current supply of marine products in Malaysia is stable and unaffected, as the nation is experiencing its peak fishing season. With a fish self-sufficiency rate of around 90 percent, Malaysia imports only about 10 percent of its fish supply to satisfy domestic demand.

Furthermore, LKIM is investigating ways to enhance the distribution of subsidies, particularly aiming to address the needs of fishermen in the Zone C2 category, who previously did not receive subsidies.