GEORGE TOWN, January 17 – Hundreds of fishermen looking for a livelihood along the Kelibang beach to Sungai Menghulu near Kuah Pulau Langkawi Kedah are in a state of anxiety after receiving a land acquisition notice from the Langkawi Land Office (PTL) to implement a sea reclamation project in the area.
In a survey conducted, CAP understood that fishermen from the Kuah, Kelibang and Sungai Menghulu beaches who were looking for a livelihood in the area objected to the decision as it could threaten the environment and affect their livelihoods.
Now the fishermen here earn between RM1,000 to RM2,000 a month from catching fish and shrimp. Meanwhile, snail collectors earn between RM40 to RM70 a day.
A fisherman, Zulkifli Shamsudin, 50, said he was shocked by the land acquisition notice in the area and wondered why the matter happened without their knowledge.
Zulkifli regretted that the decision was made without taking into account the adverse effects that would ensue and had to be faced by them and the locals in the future. “We will not only lose our source of income, we may also have to move elsewhere,” he said.
Sungai Kelibang Fishermen Community Chairman Zulkifli Che Hasin said a letter of protest with the signatures of the fishermen involved had been sent to the Langkawi District Office and hoped that their wishes and those of the locals would be given serious attention by the relevant parties.
According to him, the problem of fishermen in this area needs to be given serious attention by the government as they depend entirely on marine products to support their families.
CAP, which is sympathetic to the fishermen in the area, also objected to the decision and urged the Kedah government, Local Authorities (PBT) of the relevant departments and agencies to study the matter in detail.
CAP believes that if the project is implemented, not only the natural environment will be destroyed but also marine life and the lives of the fishing community will also be victims.
CAP is of the opinion that before a decision on this matter is made, the Kedah Government should disclose the initial plans, research results and current developments on the project to the public, especially the locals who have the right to voice their views.
