KUCHING: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) is seeking to acquire land for the development of quarters for foreign workers involved in Sarawak’s fishing industry, says chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil.
The initiative aims to enable vessel operators to provide suitable living conditions for their workers, he added.
“Currently, there are 1,343 foreign workers in Sarawak’s fishing industry, with 870 stationed in Kuching. These workers often reside on the boats due to the lack of suitable accommodations near the jetties.
“In Tanjung Bako, we have quite a lot of land, and we are in the second phase of getting approval for land to develop quarters for the workers,” he told the media this after a site visit to LKIM’s fishing port in Tanjung Bako here on Friday (Dec 15).
The plan involves gazetting the land first, followed by the construction of quarters to improve the living conditions for foreign workers in Sarawak. “We want them to be able to live comfortably here in Sarawak.”
Speaking about the fishing port in Tanjung Bako, he highlighted its advanced facilities and mentioned that, as of this year, 202 licensed vessels have landed their fish at the port.
The goal is to engage more vessel operators to utilise the port fully and ensure effective fishery networking and chain systems, he pointed out.
After the visit, Muhammad Faiz officiated the new ice storage factory by Blessed Builders Sdn Bhd.
