Kuala lumpur: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) is taking decisive steps to prevent any party from monopolizing fish-landing jetty facilities, ensuring equitable access for all fishermen, including small-scale operators. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu emphasized that continuous monitoring is conducted in collaboration with state LKIM offices, local fishermen's associations, and local authorities. This effort aims to address and resolve complaints, such as those involving private vessels or encroachments that could potentially disadvantage smaller operators.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, during a session in the Dewan Rakyat, Mohamad Sabu highlighted that the current monitoring mechanism is both practical and swiftly actionable. He assured that LKIM does not authorize any entity to monopolize fish-landing facilities, such as leasing them to private businesses. This statement was made in response to a query from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai) regarding transparent and inclusive management of LKIM jetties to ensure they continue to serve the interests of small fishermen and local enterprises.
Mohamad further detailed that LKIM manages 48 fisheries complexes and ports across the nation, including four in Johor, and supervises 505 traditional fish-landing jetties operated by fishermen's associations or local committees.
In another development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is working on expanding closed, high-technology pig-farming systems. This initiative aims to boost the self-sufficiency rate (SSR) of pork to 90% by 2030. The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) supports this effort through various initiatives, including providing technical assistance and driving structural transformation within the sector.
The DVS also offers ongoing technical advisory services, focusing on farm management, compliance with animal health standards, and biosecurity practices, to foster modern farming systems with reduced disease risks. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has extended the scope of agricultural automation tax incentives, including the Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) and income tax exemptions for pig farmers. These incentives are intended to promote the transition from open farms to closed systems from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027. This response was given to Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah), who inquired about the government's plans to implement these advanced pig-farming systems in light of the declining SSR.