Zone C2 fishing vessels will not receive govt assistance starting June 1

PETALING JAYA: Fuel subsidy for deep-sea fishing vessels in Zone C2 (over 30 nautical miles) will be removed from June 1.


Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Chua Tee Yong said fishing boats and vessels in other zones would not be affected.

He said Zone C2 vessels operated under a commercial fishing licence where a licence holder could own more than one vessel and hire foreign workers.

Some of the vessels are also operated by companies.

Chua said there were 1,200 vessels with Zone C2 licences.

“The Government subsidises 25,000 to 28,000 litres of diesel equivalent to RM31,250 and RM35,000 for each vessel every month,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Chua said all Zone C2 vessels could use up to an average of 14 million litres of diesel every month.

He said the removal of the subsidy would help the Government save RM18.9mil every month and RM226.8mil every year.

The Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) is to discuss the new ruling with the relevant parties.

On the other hand, Chua said the Government would increase the incentive for fish caught by Zone C2 vessels from 10 sen per kilo to 20 sen.

Meanwhile, Chua, who is the MCA young professional bureau chief, welcomed the minimum wage for security guards as he said it would improve their standard of living.

He said the increase in income from RM400 to RM700 was timely.

“It would benefit some 40,000 security guards in the country,” he added.



-The Star-