Tour operator in Batu Ferringhi turns to fishing for daily survival

GEORGE TOWN – Difficulties due to the pandemic have forced tourism operators in Batu Ferringhi to become fishermen in order to survive.

Apart from being sold, the fish caught can also be eaten during this time, as the tourism sector is completely paralysed, said a batik entrepreneur who runs a business at the Huma House Batu Ferringhi Complex, here.

Mohamed Ismail Ibrahim, 57, said fishing was previously just a hobby in his spare time, but now it is his new 'career' as he is catching fish full time to support his family.

“Before this, I only went to sea a few times a month to fill up my free time, but now I go to sea four days a week.

“I had to become a fisherman because I realised this was the only ability I had, and I am thankful that it is, so far, enough for my family,” said the father of four.

When met by The Vibes recently, Mohamed Ismail also showed his kayak boat modified for fishing, as he refused to spend the large capital needed to buy a fishing boat.

The kayak, he said, was purchased in June last year, and modified with the addition of a buoy and a small engine to allow it to move without having to paddle.

He said although his catch was not much nor very lucrative, he usually caught between 5 to 6 kg of fish to be sold to neighbors and friends.

“I bought this kayak for RM3,000 after realizing that this pandemic will last for a long time. So, I modified the kayak so that it is more comfortable.”

"The catch is not much, but at least it is enough to cover my family's daily expenses, and I'm grateful for that."

Mohamed Ismail, who has been in the batik business since the 1990s, said the pandemic had severely affected almost 40 businesses belonging to his friends at the Huma House Batu Ferringhi Complex, and some of them are even understood to be suffering from depression.

"The trial this time is the most challenging, but I will try to survive and will not give up for the sake of the family," he said.

The Malaysian Hotel Association (MAH) Penang previously expected that the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) in May would cause tourism industry operators in Penang to suffer huge losses.

Its chairman, Raj Kumar was reported to have said that it was also expected to have a negative impact on about 6,000 hotel industry workers in the state. – The Vibes, July 6, 2021