ALOR GAJAH, A total of RM5.401 million in ex-gratia payments has been distributed to fishermen whose livelihood is affected by the development of the Kuala Linggi International Port (KLIP).
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the sum also covers RM4.301 million to be paid out to 463 fishermen who were affected in Alor Gajah and Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan.
“This grant involves three phases of giving ex-gratia consolation money to affected coastal fishermen, which involves a total of 308 Alor Gajah fishermen and 115 Port Dickson fishermen while the remaining are 40 Alor Gajah inland fishermen.
“The amount includes RM100,000 allocated for infrastructure expenditure and RM1 million for economic development allocations in the West Malacca fishery area,” he said.
He said this after completing the first phase of ex-gratia payment in a handover ceremony to the affected fishermen, which was also attended by the state Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Salleh.
Elaborating, Ab Rauf said the state government is committed to ensuring the welfare and well-being of fishermen from Melaka and the border of Negeri Sembilan whose livelihood is affected are prioritised, besides taking into account the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs).
“We also hope that this compensation will give some relief to the fishermen and we advise them to use this money as best as possible," he said.
Earlier in his speech, he said the proposed KLIP was to develop the state's economy in the short and long term.
He said the development of KLIP will also ensure that Melaka has a port that is competitive and resilient in driving the state’s economic progress.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency