Fishermen gather in mass protest outside Parliament

More than 300 fishermen from the east coast staged a protest today against locally licensed boats being leased out to foreign nationals for fishing in national waters.

The protesters assembled along the main road leading to Parliament, and held up banners stating "Ask the MACC to investigate the Fisheries Department," "East coast fishermen, as a result of Vietnam we suffer," and "We appeal to the federal government to revoke foreigners' licenses."

Cries of "Remove Ali Baba" and "Remove Vietnam fishing network" also rang out from loudspeakers.

In a memorandum to the prime minister, home minister and agriculture and agro-based industries minister, the fishermen expressed dissatisfaction with the operation of sea boats acquired overseas – especially from Vietnam – in zones C and C2.

The memorandum states that Putrajaya's granting of deep sea boat licences was being abused by a handful of local entrepreneurs for quick gains through cooperation with foreign boat owners.

The fishermen claim that their livelihood has been affected by these deep sea boats operating ruthlessly along the coast.

Nik Mohd Kamal Husin, who hails from Kelantan, said that the demonstration was staged to draw Putrajaya's attention to the problems faced by fishermen in the east coast.

"We are just asking the government to address these disadvantages," he said.

"These Vietnamese fishermen are so bad and wreak a lot of damage to our ecosystems. 

"They may damage the aquaculture system so much that one day, our descendants may not be able to find any more sustenance in the oceans.

"Since the government gave permission to use Vietnamese crews, the situation is getting worse," he said.

The group made their way to Kuala Lumpur in nine buses and more than 30 cars. - Mkini