ONCE helping their parents out at sea, today they stand as educators and highly qualified graduates.
These are among the success stories of fishermen’s children from the southern coast of Penang Island, celebrated by the state government, with several now serving as educators and professionals after previously receiving the Academic Excellence Award under the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) – a clear testament to education’s power to transform an entire community.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the achievements were not merely individual successes but reflected the Penang government’s sustained efforts to strengthen the welfare and holistic development of the fishing community.
Mohamad, who is also chairman of the Fishermen Taskforce Committee, said the ceremony held on Thursday (Dec 18) brought together three key initiatives that directly benefit the fishing community: the handover of new boats and engines, recognition of academic excellence among fishermen’s children, and the contribution of food baskets in conjunction with the Christmas celebration to selected fishermen’s families.
“All these initiatives carry a clear message that state development is not measured solely by infrastructure and economic growth, but by our ability to uplift people’s living standards and build the future of local communities,” he said.
Mohamad added that the success of fishermen’s children in pursuing higher education and returning to contribute to society showed that they possess potential equal to that of other students, provided they are given consistent support.
According to him, various education initiatives under SIMP have been introduced to ensure no fishermen’s child is left behind, including basic literacy and numeracy (3M) remedial classes, focused tuition, hybrid learning programmes, and excellence and tertiary education assistance.
At the same time, he stressed that the state government does not urge the younger generation of fishermen to abandon their family traditions.
“Our goal is to provide choices. If they choose to become fishermen, let them be modern fishermen who are knowledgeable and skilled. If they choose the industrial or technology sectors, including at Silicon Island, they too can go further towards a more secure future,” he said.
He added that the development of Silicon Island is a long-term investment by the Penang government to ensure Penang’s economic growth remains sustainable and aligned with the education and skill levels of the local younger generation.
Meanwhile, Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the state government remains committed to implementing various initiatives under SIMP to safeguard the welfare and future of the fishing community, particularly in the southern coast of Penang Island.
He said key SIMP initiatives include ex gratia payments, the provision of new boats and engines, construction of fishermen’s sheds, skills enhancement training, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and educational assistance for fishermen’s children.
“To date, 127 Tier 1 fishermen have received new boats and engines, including six recipients today, with total expenditure reaching RM10.58 million,” he said.
He added that ex gratia payments totalling RM11.8 million have been disbursed to 795 eligible fishermen, while 60 fishermen’s sheds have been planned for phased reconstruction.
Farizan said education remains a core pillar of SIMP following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected mastery of basic 3M skills among pupils in southern Penang.
“Over the past three years, 3M remedial classes have been implemented in collaboration with the Penang Education Department and the southwest district Education Office, benefiting 240 pupils,” he said.
He said under the Jaya Didik Programme, 71 fishermen’s children received tuition fee sponsorship, while 259 secondary school students participated in the Hybrid Education Programme organised by USAINS Holdings, which emphasises examination preparation, effective revision techniques and confidence-building.
In addition, he said parents were also equipped with parenting knowledge through support workshops, while 65 students were sponsored to participate in STEM programmes to nurture a generation literate in science and technology.
“This afternoon, two students received the Higher Education Admission Programme Award, and 11 students received the Excellence Award. Overall, 65 students have received 111 awards under this programme,” he said.
He added that the state government hopes these educational efforts will not only open pathways for social mobility among fishermen’s children but also produce a generation capable of contributing back to the development of Silicon Island, whether as highly skilled workers or as knowledgeable, competitive modern fishermen.
Also present were Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB) Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Management director Azmi Mohamad, SIDSB Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Management head Ann Tan, Batu Maung service centre chief Mohd Zarif Abdul Hamid, Southern Penang Fishermen Association deputy president and Teluk Kumbar fishermen unit chief Roslizan Ramli, Bukit Gemuroh MPKK chairman Mohd Fadzli Othman, and Penang Island City Council councillor Dr Mohd Suhairi Arumugam Abdullah.
Pix courtesy of Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd