KOTA KINABALU: July 23, 2026 – The Sabah government has allocated RM500,000 this year for the new construction and upgrade of fishing jetties in fishing villages across Sabah, including in the Papar district, under the Fishermen’s Village Basic Development Assistance Programme (i-INFRA).
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry said the programme aims to facilitate the landing of fishery catches, while also providing facilities for the maintenance of fishing equipment and boat mooring jetties.
“This programme has received an allocation of RM500,000 in 2026 for the new construction or upgrade of fishing jetties in fishing villages throughout Sabah, including the Papar district,” he said.
He was speaking in response to a question from Pantai Manis State Assemblyman, Datuk Haji Pengiran Saifuddin Pengiran Tahir, who asked the government to explain its plans to improve facilities and fishing equipment capabilities for fishermen in the Papar district.
According to him, the Sabah Department of Fisheries is also implementing various efforts to increase fishermen’s productivity, including the use of higher-quality fishing equipment, upgrading boats with mechanisation equipment, using more efficient engines, fish detection systems, communication technology and providing catch-handling facilities.
He said the government is also strengthening the fisheries sector through several programmes such as the Local Fishermen’s Income Strengthening Programme, the Fisheries Blue Economy Initiative, the Fish Catch Productivity Empowerment Programme, the B40 Fishermen’s Socio-Economic Transformation Programme and the Fishermen’s Training Programme.
In addition, Ko-Nelayan provides facilities such as 15 to 40 horsepower (HP) engines, fibreglass boats, nets, ice boxes and modern technology equipment through micro-credit schemes under the Income Enhancement Programme.
“The use of technology such as e-SMART applications and satellite devices has also been introduced to improve fishing efficiency and reduce fuel costs,” he said.
He added that full-time fishermen can also apply to join the Fishermen’s Assistance Scheme (i-Nelayan) through the West Coast Regional Ko-Nelayan Office in Papar to obtain government assistance aimed at increasing income and productivity in the fisheries sector.
