150 JETTIES TO BE BUILD NATIONWIDE

LANGKAWI (Malaysia), May 11 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and
Agro-Based Industry are to build 150 jetties nationwide through a RM50 million
(US$1=RM3.53) allocation, to help fishermen and boost the fishing industry.

Its minister Noh Omar said the allocation would be used to build new
jetties and upgrade existing ones, as an initiative to ease the burden of
fishermen to land their catch.

"The ministry hope the initiative will encourage fishermen to be more
productive," Noh told reporters after meeting fishermen in Langkawi at the LKIM
Langkawi Complexs in Penarak, Kuah here Sunday.

Noh said 18 jetties would be build in Kedah, including seven in Langkawi at
a cost of RM7.7 million.

He added that the Fisheries Department received 15,900 applications
nationwide and had so far approved 13,000 fishing licenses which would enable
fishermen to enjoy incentives, including RM200 monthly in cost of living
allowances.

The government has also allocated RM73 million to improve the drainage
system in Langkawi to enable paddy planters to cultivate and harvest paddy,
twice a year, said Noh.

-- BERNAMA