Fishermen's Associations Act 1971 must be understood by the general manager and the ALP.

Members of Area Fishermen’s Associations

11. (1) Any person who is resident within the operative area of an Area Fishermen’s Association and who has attained the age of 18 years shall be eligible to become a member of an Area Fishermen’s Association if he belongs to any of the following categories, that is to say:

(a) any person who is engaged in catching, harvesting or the culture of aquatic organisms for a minimum period of one hundred and twenty days in a year;
(b) any person who is a fish processor, handler or dealer;
(c) any person who derives sixty per cent or more of his total income from the fishery industry.

(2) Any person who conducts research on or is engaged in the
development and improvement of the fishing industry, shall be
eligible for associate membership.


Sad and also funny at times when I found out that the revision of Fishermen's Association Kunak membership is totally not based on the Fishermen's Associations Act 1971. Sad! if it is misused to get rid of a qualified member and funny! if the General Manager as the ALP in terms of legal advisers did not understand the Act.

If we try to understand the above quote from Fishermen's Associations Act 1971, its written in the language in which it is not hard to understand. It is written so to make it easier to understand.

"We are persecuted !!!".
Such a complaint from a member of the Kunak Area Fishermen's Association regarding his membership that removed because of his intention to contest for the Board of Director this year.

According to him, he was summoned to be interviewed by the General Manager and the Board to hear the reasons why his membership in dispute. Although before this, a letter from the Chairman of the JKKK and Community Development Officer (Hja Maimunah Binti Datuk Zainal) have been submitted but it seems a waste.

Is there any conspiracy between the Board and General Manager to maintain the current Board that have caused accumulated LOSS in 2009? Where is the yearly accumulated profit last year gone?

He is also accused of having other sources of income in excess of his income as a fish farmers (fishermen).

"I'm just as one of the board of superintendent of a tuition centre and salary are not given". he said with a tone of disappointment.

If the General Manager had read and understand the Fishermen's Associations Act 1971, a questions like these that I think nonsense, would not be asked. The words "any of the categories ...." as in the above mentioned Act quote, it is clearly this member are have to be included in the category 11 (1) (a) because his main job is rearing marine fish and 11 (1) (c) is not an issue anymore. In other words, 11 (1) (a) OR (b) OR (c) and not necessary fulfill all these membership requirements.

I am confident and believe in LKIM as the registrar will not let things like this persist. The action taken by the General Manager is obviously against the Act and may affect the credibility of LKIM as a leader in the development of fishermen communities.

Here I also like to suggest that if LKIM are serious about strengthening the management of Kunak Area Fishermen's Association, a rigorous screening and development of management personnel skills must be held as soon as possible. We do not want to see the development that has been sketched by the LKIM are no longer appreciated by masses because of a few personnel who are not competent and irresponsible.