PARLIAMENT | The government is considering the reinstatement of diesel subsidies for Zone C2 fisherfolk, which was discontinued in 2019 as part of the subsidy rationalisation policy, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Arthur Kurup announced yesterday.
He said this policy also led to a reduction in the diesel quota under the Fisherfolk's Diesel and Petrol Subsidy Scheme, which was decreased from 80 million litres to 70 million litres.
Winding up his ministry’s committee-level debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat, he emphasised, however, that the government remains attentive to the welfare of fishermen and understands the operational challenges faced by Zone C2 vessel owners.
He confirmed that the matter remains under high-level discussion, noting that any decision to restore subsidies for this group requires a comprehensive assessment of the fiscal implications and existing policies.
Arthur added that the ministry is implementing a digital mapping initiative using a Geographic Information System to strengthen the management of agricultural water resources across the nation’s major rice-producing regions.
The project is a collaboration with the National Geospatial Centre, involving the integration of data from the Agricultural Water Resource Management Study.
He said the project is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2026 and will form the foundation for developing a consolidated database for agricultural infrastructure nationwide.
This is a significant step towards establishing a modern, efficient, and high-impact water resource management system.
Arthur said the modernisation of irrigation and drainage infrastructure in both designated rice cultivation areas and other agricultural zones is currently being pursued through automation systems and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems, to enhance the efficiency of agricultural water management.
Subsequently, the Dewan Rakyat approved the management and development expenditure allocation of RM6,868,552,800 for the ministry in the 2026 budget.
The allocation was passed by a voice vote after being debated by 23 members of parliament.
- Bernama
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