By Zaki Salleh
PANTAI REMIS, March 8 — Issues that have long plagued the local fishing community in Pantai Remis involving Sungai Beruas and Sungai Batu are now receiving attention.
This follows a site visit conducted together with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (JPS) to explore possible solutions.
Special officer to the Deputy Prime Minister II, Neow Choo Seong Neow, said several key matters were raised during the engagement session.
Among them were the issue of increasingly shallow river mouths, proposals to construct protective barriers to safeguard areas frequently hit by waves and floods, as well as the need to improve the renewal process for fishermen’s licences for Zone A and Zone B.
He said the issues directly affect the livelihood and safety of fishermen who rely entirely on the sea for their income.
“I had the opportunity to meet directly with representatives of fishermen’s associations, local community leaders and several residents who shared the challenges they face in their daily lives.
“This includes unstable income and the rising cost of living,” he said when met after the site visit.
The engagement session was also attended by Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham and Pantai Remis assemblyman Wong May Yin, along with representatives from several related agencies.
The meeting aimed to review proposed solutions to the issues raised.
Neow, who is also the communications director of Barisan Nasional Youth, said the session demonstrated the commitment of all parties to listen directly to the people and seek practical solutions.
“This is the genuine voice of the people that must be taken seriously, not merely recorded.
“I did not come with empty promises, but to see the situation on the ground, listen carefully and bring the fishermen’s voices to the relevant authorities,” he said.
He added that although the challenges faced are not easy, continuous efforts and cooperation among all parties are believed to bring better solutions for the fishing community in the area.
He also stressed that every issue raised will be brought to the relevant authorities to ensure follow-up action can be considered for the well-being of the local community.
