GOVT LAUNCHES EMERGENCY FUND FOR FISHERMEN

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The government Friday announced
the setting up of the Fishermen's Emergency Fund with a launching capital of RM1
million (US$279,753) to help fishermen and their families struck by misfortune.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, in disclosing this, said fishermen took
great risks when they went out to sea to fish, having to put up with inclement
weather and rough seas which could cause their boats to capsize and they
themselves to drown.

On land, there was a possibility of their houses being destroyed or damaged
by fires and so on, he told reporters after a meeting with fishermen at the
Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) port in Chendering, in this
capital of Malaysia's east coast state of Terengganu.

"With such risks, it is most appropriate that a fund is set up to assist
them, with a launching capital of RM1 million," he said.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed was also
present at the meeting with the fishermen.

When addressing the fishermen earlier, Najib said the government greatly
appreciated the role of the more than 70,000 fishermen in the country, 6,000 of
whom are in Terengganu.

He said the government had implemented and was carrying out various measures
in the interests of fishermen, including providing a RM200 monthly
cost-of-living allowance, a diesel subsidy and a fish-landing incentive.

"We will add on the aid to fishermen. The state government is also providing
all kinds of assistance. We are considering what else to give them," he said.

Najib said the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government looked after the
welfare of the people for the long term and not for short periods.

"We do not think merely of victory in the elections. We think of how to take
care of the future generations. That's how the BN works," he said.
-- BERNAMA