THIS year’s National Day celebration brought double joy to fishermen on the southern coast of Penang Island as they received new boats and engines, along with food basket contributions aimed at improving their operational efficiency and quality of life.
The contributions, provided under the Penang government’s Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP), saw the handover of new boats and engines to 12 active fishermen, alongside the distribution of 30 food baskets to the Gertak Sanggul fishing community to support the welfare of coastal families.
Recipients described the assistance as the “true meaning of the National Day celebration.”
Deputy president of the Southern Penang Fishermen Association (PNKPPS) and the Teluk Kumbar Fishermen’s Unit head, Roslizan Ramli, 46, who had been using his old boat for 16 years, expressed his gratitude for the assistance he received in Nibong Tebal recently.
“This assistance makes our operations easier and provides greater safety.
“For me, the meaning of National Day is when fishermen also experience the government’s care and concern.
“This assistance is extremely valuable because not all fishermen can afford to purchase a new boat and engine on their own,” he said.
A similar sentiment was shared by Lee Ah Hoo, 68, who has earned his livelihood at sea for more than 50 years.
He said the new engine had eased his concerns over breakdowns and reduced the maintenance costs of his more than 10-year-old boat.
Roslizan and Lee were among 12 eligible active fishermen who received new boats and engines under SIMP in conjunction with National Month.
As of Aug 31, 2026, a total of 194 out of 294 eligible active fishermen have received new boats and engines under SIMP, involving an investment of RM17.46 million.
In addition to boat and food basket assistance, the SIMP programme also includes completed ex-gratia payments, business and employment opportunities, as well as education programmes for fishermen’s children.
Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the initiative demonstrated the continued commitment to helping fishermen’s families build better lives.
He also urged the fishing community to take advantage of the skills training programmes provided to open employment opportunities in the Silicon Island project.
Meanwhile, the Penang State Deputy Speaker and Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz stressed that National Day celebrations were not merely about commemorating history or flying the Jalur Gemilang, but also about upholding the responsibility to safeguard the people’s well-being without neglecting coastal communities.
Commenting on development in the southern coast of Penang Island, including the Silicon Island project, he stressed that progress must be pursued in a balanced manner without compromising the identity and interests of the local community.
“We are developing the state today not merely for today, but to create new choices and opportunities for future generations,” he said.
Also present at the National Day Celebration and SIMP Benefits Distribution Programme held at the Gertak Sanggul MPKK hall on Aug 28 were Roslizan, Gertak Sanggul Fishermen’s Unit head Wong Boon Ee and Gertak Sanggul Village Community Management Council (MPKK) chairman Leong Kein Cheong.
Pix courtesy of Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd