KOTA KINABALU: Asmadi Jaffar has spent his entire life as a fisherman, a trade passed down through generations in his family. However, it is not a lucrative profession, with his earnings heavily dependent on the weather.
"Good weather brings good catches, and rain affects our earnings," said Asmadi, who finds it difficult to make ends meet, especially with a wife and a five-year-old child to support.
Already grappling with an unstable income, Asmadii, a native of Pulau Tanjung Aru, a small island off Sandakan, is now facing an even bigger challenge - irregularities in the distribution of subsidised diesel in Sandakan.
"We used to make four to five fishing trips a month, but now we are down to just one," he explained.
The diesel supply shortage has impacted a total of 426 fishing boat operators in Sandakan, forcing many to leave their boats idle due to a lack of fuel.
Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong, concerned about the issue, lodged a report with the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and the Fishermen’s Association to ensure there is no leakage or mismanagement in the diesel distribution process.
Chong noted that the current subsidy quota is insufficient, leaving fishermen unable to head out to sea while they wait for the next allocation.
"This issue must be urgently addressed by the ministry. It is not the first time fishermen have raised this concern, it has happened repeatedly, yet no firm action has been taken," Chong stressed.
He warned that if the issue persists, it will disrupt the fishermen's routine, reduce fish supplies, and lead to price hikes that will ultimately burden consumers.
Sandakan Fishing (Tongkang) Association chairman Ng Chi Tshung echoed Chong's concerns. He said the government had allocated 2.8 million litres of subsidised diesel monthly to Sandakan fishermen.
“This diesel is priced at RM1.68 per litre, much lower than the RM2.15 per litre at petrol stations," Ng explained.
Previously, this allocation was sufficient for the 426 vessels operating across four jetties, including three in Bandar Ramai-Ramai Karamunting and one in Batu Putih Mile 7. However, since July, the supply has become inadequate.
Ng pointed out that the diesel is now distributed to six jetties instead of four, which has exacerbated the shortage. He claimed that two newly registered jetties under LKIM have no operational vessels, yet they are receiving diesel, contributing to the crisis faced by Sandakan's fishing community.
The reduced fishing trips have caused a significant decline in fish supplies, with an estimated 60% to 70% drop in the district's fisheries output.
Ng highlighted that this shortage not only affects the livelihoods of fishermen but also disrupts the supply of fresh fish to local markets, raising concerns among consumers.
