MELAKA – A total of RM33 million in fishermen’s funds were used up by the Barisan Nasional (BN) Melaka government prior to the 2018 general election, according to Adly Zahari, Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) chief ministerial choice in conjunction with the upcoming state polls.
The Amanah man said this made it difficult for PH, which took over the state after the general election, to properly compensate fishermen for the Tg Bruas Port expansion project as promised during its time in power.
Speaking at a press conference, Adly, who will be defending the Bukit Katil seat in the election on Saturday, explained that the special allocation had been included as part of the state government’s consolidated fund together with other tax revenues during that BN era.
So when the (BN) government was lacking cash in 2018, it used the funds meant for fishermen, either to pay civil servants’ salary or for official ceremonies.
“By right, this money should have been separated as a special fund for the fishermen, and the government should have also repaid the sum.
“That is why when we took over the administration, we knew the amount was RM33 million. But that was merely a number on paper, and it had been exhausted,” he claimed after a visit to Kelebang here today.
Adly served as chief minister from May 2018 to March 2020, after which the state was taken over by Perikatan Nasional following the Sheraton Move.
Despite this, Adly said the PH government then still spent some RM8 million in compensation for the fishermen before the coalition was toppled.
“In terms of figure, this means over RM20 million is still owed to the fishermen,” he said.
Adly said part of the RM8 million was paid in cash in 2019, where each fisherman was given RM3,000, while the remaining amount was spent on upgrading infrastructure including boats and engines.
He stressed the need for the fishermen to be properly compensated as this would be extremely beneficial for the group.
“In addition, if there are any more new land reclamations, further compensation must be given to them,” he said.
Previously, in 2019, the Melaka PH government had said the Tg Bruas Port would be commercially developed at a cost of RM160 million to be on a par with Port Klang in the future.
Fishermen have long suffered as a result of the expanding port. Fishing operations are hampered as a result of more ships, especially container vessels, docking or passing through the area. – The Vibes, November 17, 2021
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