THE Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration has brought much-needed practical and emotional relief to several fishermen in the south of Penang Island who received brand new boats and engines yesterday (May 26).
The occasion doubled as a highly memorable milestone for some of the recipients, particularly those who happened to be celebrating their birthdays this month.
The asset handover is part of the state government’s Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) under the Silicon Island project, which aims to equip 294 eligible fishermen with upgraded seafaring assets by 2027.
To date, 158 fishermen have received their new boats and high-powered engines.
For 64-year-old Che Anuar Puteh, a veteran from the Sungai Batu fishermen unit with 45 years of experience, the handover arrived just one day after his birthday.
“While this gift of a new boat feels like a birthday present, it is actually rezeki daripada Tuhan (a blessing from God),” he said.
“Our family lives on the yields we receive from the sea. Two of my sons are also fishermen.”
Sharing the double joy was 78-year-old Yeoh Mah Kee from the Gertak Sanggul unit, whose birthday fell on May 8. He described the upgrade as a meaningful gift that will eliminate the crippling maintenance costs of his previous setup.
“I previously had a 60-horsepower engine which required constant maintenance and repairs. Maintaining it was very costly. Thanks to the Penang government, I now have everything brand new with no more heavy maintenance costs,” Yeoh said.
The initiative also marked a poignant chapter for 28-year-old Mohamad Shafiq Rostam from Sungai Batu.
As one of the youngest recipients, the new boat and engine symbolised a fresh beginning as he continues the legacy of his late father, who passed away from a heart attack five years ago.
Meanwhile, Teluk Kumbar fisherman Khalil Husain, 50, described the past few days as a period of non-stop celebration.
“It feels like a whole week full of joy,” Khalil said, noting that the asset handover followed a community programme on May 25 by the Pusat Perkhidmatan Setempat Nelayan (PPSN) team where 70 local fishermen families received fresh chicken for the Aidiladha festivities.
Fellow Teluk Kumbar fisherman Azmi Hussin also extended his thanks to the state government, Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) and Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB) for prioritising their welfare.
Speaking at the “Sambutan Aidiladha Bersama Komuniti Nelayan” programme earlier, PIC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus revealed that out of 877 registered fishermen, 795 have already received ex-gratia payments totalling RM11.84mil.
Farizan emphasised that the Penang government, through PIC, remains committed to safeguarding the socioeconomic wellbeing of the fishing community to ensure state development progresses in an inclusive manner.
Bayan Lepas assemblyman and Penang State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz echoed this commitment, asserting that the fishing community remains an important asset to the state.
“They should not be sidelined amid rapid development. The Penang government remains committed to ensuring that development projects, including Silicon Island, continue to prioritise the wellbeing of local communities,” Azrul said.