FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FISHERMEN AFFECTED BY FORESHORE RECLAMATION

Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs whether the Government will consider financial assistance to fishermen whose livelihood may be affected by foreshore and sea-bed reclamations.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Sir, there are some 180 registered fishermen (including 70 kelong operators) owning about 60 registered boats, living along that stretch of the east coast which is being reclaimed by the Housing and Development Board. When reclamation is complete, their fishing villages will be rendered about half a mile inland. Except for the 70 kelong fishermen whose kelongs (about 20 of them) will have to be taken out, the other fishermen are affected by the foreshore reclamation to the extent that their access to the sea will be interfered with.

The Housing and Development Board will provide suitable accesses at convenient points for fishermen to cross the reclaimed area to reach their boats. The Government is also looking into the matter of providing suitable alternative sites and facilities for the fishermen to beach their boats and to keep their nets and gears.

For those fishermen who wish to switch to off-shore fishing, the Government will consider assisting them. However, should there be any case of hardship caused by unemployment among these fishermen, the usual financial aid will be provided to such a case under the Public Assistance Scheme operated by the Social Welfare Department.