The government of Malaysia is to repair 5,000 fishermen’s houses in the country with a total allocation of RM100 million this year, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharom said.
He said the repair of each house would cost between RM5,000 and RM10,000.
Priority would be given next year to build houses costing not more than RM35,000, he said.
“Several conditions have to be met under the (fishermen’s housing) programme. For example, the application must be supported by the chairman of the agriculture development council of the parliamentary constituency and the land for the house must belong to the fisherman,” he told reporters after visiting an almost collapsed house of a fisherman in Kuala Sungai Baru, Jerlun, about 30 km from here.
He said the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has been authorised to conduct research, survey and distribute the application forms to the eligible fishermen. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a RM300-million fund for fishermen’s housing for three years when tabling the 2012 Budget in October last year.
2012 Bernama