Category: Agriculture & Fisheries

The plight of fishermen and padi farmers in Malaysia

Speech by Lim kit Siang in the Dewan Rakyat on the 1974 Estimates for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on December 21, 1973

Call on the Malaysian government to have urgent discussions with Indonesian authorities to demarcate the international waters in the Straits of Malacca and to make arrangements to enable Malacca and other Malaysian fishermen to pursue their livelihood in the spirit of ASEAN fraternity and solidarity

Since August this year, the 600 Malacca fishermen of all races have faced great hardships, without governmental assistance or concern.

In August this year, 22 Malacca fishing boats in the high seas in the Straits of Malacca were captured by some Indonesian authorities, and held to ransom.

To secure the release of a boat, the relatives of the detained fishermen were required to pay a ransom of $3,000 per boat.

In the past, the ransom money per boat had only been a few hundred dollars. Then it began to rise, and recently, in keeping with world-wide inflation, it is shot up from $1,000 to $3,000. This means that over $60,000 were paid to secure the release of the 22 Malaysian fishing boats and about 50 men. Continue reading The plight of fishermen and padi farmers in Malaysia

Demarcate international waters in the Straits of Malacca to enable Malaysian fishermen to pursue their livelihood in the spirit of ASEAN fraternity and solidarity

Statement by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a press conference at 33A Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Malacca on Wednesday, 19th Sept. 1973 at 10.45 a.m.

Lim Kit Siang calls on the Ministry of Fisheries and Foreign Ministry to have urgent discussion with Indonesian authorities to demarcate the international waters in the Straits of Malacca and to make arrangements to enable Malacca and other Malaysian fishermen to pursue their livelihood in the spirit of ASEAN fraternity and solidarity

I have called this press conference to bring to the attention of the government and public the plight, suffering and hardship of the 600 Malacca fishermen of all races who for the past one month had not dared to go out to fish in international waters in the Straits of Malacca.

This followed the disappearance of 22 Malacca fishing boats in the high sea a month ago. It was subsequently reported in the press that the five boats had returned after paying ransom money of $3000 each. There are still 17 boats in detention, and which have not returned.

In the past, the ransom money per boat had been only a few hundred dollars. Then it began to rise, and recently it was in the region of $1000. Now, it is $3000. Continue reading Demarcate international waters in the Straits of Malacca to enable Malaysian fishermen to pursue their livelihood in the spirit of ASEAN fraternity and solidarity

Malacca fishermen are victims of high-sea piracy and kidnapping

Press Statement by Mr. Lim Kit Siang, DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka on 12 September 1973:

Lim Kit Siang Calls on the Malacca Acting Chief Minister, Dato Tan Chang Swee to take a personal interest in the sufferings of the Malacca fishermen who are victims of high-sea piracy and kidnapping

The Malacca Acting Chief Minister Dato Tan Cheng Swee said yesterday that families of the missing fishermen in Malacca should report to the police so that the Foreign Ministry could take up with the Indonesian Authorities on the disappearance of 60 Malaysian fishermen and their fishing boats.

Dato Tab Cheng Swee also expressed sympathy for the affected families and suggested that they quickly make their report to the police so that the Central Government can take up the matter through the proper foreign channel.

This is the first time after close to a month since the disappearance of the 60 Malacca fishermen that Dato Tan Cheng Swee has expresses his concern, although he was aware of it right from the beginning. Continue reading Malacca fishermen are victims of high-sea piracy and kidnapping

Protect Malaysian fishermen in the Straits of Malacca from armed, uniformed naval piracy

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a Public Rally at Batu Berendam, Malacca on Saturday, 8th Sept. 1973 at 9 p.m

DAP calls on the Malaysian Government to protect Malaysian fishermen in the Straits of Malacca from armed, uniformed naval piracy in international waters

In the last one month, we read in the press that the Malacca fishermen were victims of two cases of piracy in international waters in the Straits of Malacca. In the first piracy, five vessels were involved, while in the second case, 19 vessels were involved.

The fishing boats, gear, catches and other properties were seized and detained along with the fishermen, until they were ransomed with solid cash. It is reported that the ransom money paid for the release for each vessel is $3000, which works out to a total ransom money of over $70000 for the 24 vessels robbed and fishermen kidnapped. I have received complaints that during the period of detention, awaiting release on payment of ransom money, the Malaysian fishermen were ill-treated.

That the Malaysian fishermen from Malacca and other coastal areas along the Straits of Malacca have been the constant victims of high-sea piracy is a well-know fact to the people and government. That these high-sea pirates are armed, uniformed naval personnel from Indonesia in naval gunboats is not only a public knowledge, but has been admitted by the late Tun Dr. Ismail when I questioned him on the question in the August session of Parliament last year. Continue reading Protect Malaysian fishermen in the Straits of Malacca from armed, uniformed naval piracy

Agricultural crisis in Johore – lift government ban immediately

Speech by DAP Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on the Committee Stage Debate on the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 17.1.1973

DAP calls on immediate lifting of government ban on the import of chicken droppings or fowl dung manure to end the agricultural crisis in Johore

I have received representations from Johore farmers about the agricultural crisis they are facing as a result of the government ban on the import of ‘ chicken droppings’ or ‘fowl dungs’ manure into West Malaysia from Singapore from 1st of December last month.

The ban on the import of chicken droppings has created a major agricultural crisis and threatened the livelihood and employment of thousands of people in the vegetable and fruit growing areas in Johore, and who comprise both Chinese and Malay farmers.

For the last two decades, the vegetable and fruit farmers in Johore have used the chicken droppings imported from Singapore as the staple or basic manure for their cultivation. The vegetable farmers found from experience that the chicken droppings manure is superior to the chemical fertilizers for two chief reasons: Continue reading Agricultural crisis in Johore – lift government ban immediately

Call on all Malaysian fishermen’s associations, unions, co-operative societies and other organizations to prepare memorandum

Speech by Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, when speaking at a meeting of the DAP Malacca State Sub-Committee on Tuesday, 29th August 1972 at 7 p.m.

Call on all Malaysian fishermen’s associations, unions, co-operative societies and other organizations to prepare memorandum to the Minister of Defence, Minister of Fisheries and the Minister of Home Affairs about the entire problem of piracy of Malaysian fishermen in high seas

During the recent session of Parliament early this month, my colleagues and I in the DAP had highlighted the plight of Malaysian fishermen in the high seas, who were the victims of armed uniformed pirates from the Indonesian navy. Continue reading Call on all Malaysian fishermen’s associations, unions, co-operative societies and other organizations to prepare memorandum

A cheap food policy

DAP calls on Government to launch dynamic programme to reduce cost of production of rice so that padi farmers can increase their incomes and consumers get cheaper rice

This Bill seeks to amend the Muda Agricultural Development Authority Act 1972 to include a representative of the Lembaga Padi dan Beras Negara as a member of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority.

Malaysia has transformed herself from a rice-deficit country into near rice self-sufficient country. For this fact, the government has never ceased to boast of its achievements. Continue reading A cheap food policy

DAP calls for government action to protect Pangkor Island and other Malaysian fishermen from piracy by uniformed naval personnel of neighbouring country

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat in the debate on the Fisheries Amendment Bill on August 10, 1972

DAP calls for government action to protect Pangkor Island and other Malaysian fishermen from piracy by uniformed naval personnel of neighbouring country

We have this amendment bill in order to empower any Police Officer or Fishery Officer to stop, search and detain all vessels, vehicles, nets, instruments, fishing materials, appliances, fish or fishing stakes if they have reason to believe that an offence under the Act has been committed. Continue reading DAP calls for government action to protect Pangkor Island and other Malaysian fishermen from piracy by uniformed naval personnel of neighbouring country

DAP calls for immediate government action to protect the life, property and livelihood of Malaysians fisherman from armed Indonesian pirates

DAP calls for immediate government action to protect the life, property and livelihood of Malaysians fisherman from armed Indonesian pirates

My colleague, Sdr. Phung Teik Hwa, the Perak DAP State Assemblymen for Lumut, whose constituents include the fisherman at Pangkor Island, has again written to Government urging the authorities to take positive action to protect the life, property and livelihood of Malaysian fisherman from harassment and piracy of armed Indonesian patrol boats. Continue reading DAP calls for immediate government action to protect the life, property and livelihood of Malaysians fisherman from armed Indonesian pirates

MCA to make clear its stand on the proposed FAMA Fish Marketing Board Scheme

The Chairman of the Batu Pahat DAP Branch, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today (17.11.1968) asked the Malayan Chinese Association to make clear its stand on the proposed FAMA Fish Marketing Board Scheme.

Mr. Lim who is also Organising Secretary of the Party, told reporters that since that the scheme was announced at the end of last month, all organisations concerned had opposed the scheme – whether wholesalers, retailers or the fishermen themselves.

The DAP had also from the start criticised the scheme as likely to cause hardship and unemployment to tens of thousands of fish-mongers, raise the price of fish for the consumers, without bringing any appreciable benefit to the fishermen. Continue reading MCA to make clear its stand on the proposed FAMA Fish Marketing Board Scheme