SEPANGGAR: The welfare and fundamental rights of fishermen in Karambunai must be continuously defended, said Deputy Chairman of PERIKATAN NASIONAL (PN) Sabah, Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan.
He said this is important to ensure that the community is not left behind amid rapid development in the area.
According to him, Kampung Sabang, Salimbangun and Numbak are among the coastal areas inhabited by fishing communities for generations, where most residents rely entirely on the sea for their livelihoods.
He added that he has held multiple meetings and dialogues with fishermen, including during the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sittings, to directly hear and discuss the issues and pressures faced by the community.
“I have met with the fishermen many times. Among the major issues raised are the condition of jetties, development projects that threaten fishing villages, and lack of basic facilities. Alhamdulillah, when we held dialogues with various agencies, we received a lot of important information,” he said.
He said this during a boat ride in the ‘A Morning at Sea in Kampung Sabang’ programme today, which he joined alongside local fishermen to experience the process of catching fish and better understand their daily lives.
Dr Aliakbar also stated that the earlier dialogue sessions with various agencies opened up many new insights that will help in formulating more accurate solutions tailored to the needs of the Karambunai fishing community.
The PN candidate for the Karambunai state seat said his participation in the morning fishing activity allowed him to truly appreciate the challenges faced by fishermen, while also strengthening relationships and reinforcing his commitment to safeguarding their future.
He stressed that the struggle to protect fishermen’s rights, welfare, facilities, and support initiatives will continue because development projects that threaten coastal villages have a direct impact on the socioeconomic well-being of fishing families.
“So among the issues that I will continue to bring forward in the upcoming phases of this struggle, insya-Allah, is to ensure we keep defending the rights and welfare of our fishermen,” he said. – HARAKAHDAILY 20/11/2025
