TG PIAI POLLS | Johor menteri besar Sahruddin Jamal’s announcement of a RM1,000 special aid for fisherfolk in southern Johor has been greeted with incredulity in Tanjung Piai.
One of them, Zainal Abidin, 55, said the fishermen like himself have long struggled to make ends meet, so it is strange to see the gov't coming forward now to help.
“We’ll have to see what his intentions are, because this (aid for fishermen) has been a longstanding issue, but now they want to give aid.
“They had promised before, but now they want to deliver only when there is a by-election going on,” he said when met in Tanjung Piai.
Zainal conceded that the aid would help alleviate his financial burden, but said he sees it only as an attempt to win over the people’s support.
“If they give now, it appears that they just want to win votes,” he said.
This morning, Sahruddin announced that the state government will be providing a special aid for 1,513 fishers in Gelang Patah, Pulai, Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru, Tebrau, Pontian and Tanjung Piai.
The aid totalling RM1,513 million will be distributed by beginning next week and all payments would be made by the end of the year.
Fishing is a key sector in Tanjung Piai, especially in Kukup. Between Tanjung Piai and Pontian, there are 544 aid recipients.
However, Sahruddin said the aid has been given annually since 2015 for fisherfolk affected by development, and should not be construed as vote-buying.
"This shouldn't be an issue. We are the trustees and we are fulfilling a promise," he said.
The explained that the aid is usually given in October or November, after the state government receives census data from the Fisheries Department.
Meanwhile, another Tanjung Piai fisher Adam Muhamad, 59, said also questioned the timing of the aid that coincided with the by-election.
“I am grateful they are giving (aid), and this aid has indeed been around for some time. It’s just strange that they want to give it when a by-election is around the corner.
“The aid was given before, but it was stopped, and it used to be RM2,000. But if the government wants to give, we’re okay with that,” said Adam.
However, Alias Awang, 57, said he is glad for the assistance because it would help alleviate his financial burden despite its meagre sum.
“RM1,000 is okay. We can buy the necessities, thank you.
“No worries, if they give, we’d just take,” he said.
Echoing Alias, Abdul Rashid M Said, 51, who had been a fisher for over 20 years, said he hopes the aid would continue even after the by-election.
For the record, several other ministers have also announced various assistance for Tanjung Piai constituents in the run-up to the by-election on Nov 16.
Among others, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin announced an allocation of RM3 million for upgrading works, including the construction of a hall in Kukup, on Oct 13.
Zuraida said the allocation had been approved much earlier, and she had only gone to Tanjung Piai to ensure the work goes smoothly following the incumbent MP Dr Md Farid Md Rafik’s death in September.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced a RM4 million allocation to upgrade sports and recreational facilities in Tanjung Piai.
A day before nomination day, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Salahuddin Ayub announced an allocation of RM3 million to upgrade three jetties in Tanjung Piai.
He also provided a contribution of RM5,000 to SRJK (c) Pei Chio in Kukup Laut, Tanjung Piai.
Meanwhile, Southern Johor Fishers Association chairperson Azli Mohd Azis (below) explained that the aid covers six parliamentary constituencies, namely Tanjung Piai, Tebrau, Kota Iskandar, Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, and Pulai.
He too hopes the aid for fishermen would not stop at the RM1,000 special assistance.
“My hopes as a fisherman is that the practice continues. It is true that the program has been around for some time, but I understand it’s a bit late due to the transition of power and a lack of funds.
“The state government, if possible, should find ways to ensure the aid continues,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
The Tanjung Piai by-election is a six-corner fight between BN’s Wee Jeck Seng, Pakatan Harapan’s Karmaine Sardini, Berjasa’s Badhrulhisham Subramaniam, Gerakan’s Wendy Subramaniam, and independent candidates Ang Chuan Lock and Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar.
Wee, who is also the local MCA division chief, was the Tanjung Piai MP for two terms before being defeated by Farid at the 14th general election by a mere 524 votes.
The Election Commission has set a 14-day campaign period, with advance polling on Nov 12 and polling day on Nov 16. - Mkini
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