KUALA LUMPUR, The National Fishermen's Association (NEKMAT) hopes the 2025 Budget, to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim next month, will continue to provide petrol and diesel subsidies, as well as the cost of living allowance to the fishing community. Chairman of NEKMAT Board of Directors, Abdul Hamid Bahari said this is to ensure the fishermen can cover the cost of their daily operations and continue to improve their standard of living. "NEKMAT has almost 100,000 members and we hope that the government can continue to provide subsidised petrol and diesel to them, including in Sabah and Sarawak, and also to extend the facility to other fishermen who do not get it before. "Without this subsidy, it will be challenging for fishermen to go out to sea, particularly for C2 class fishermen (deep-sea fishermen). Some of them are unable to fish because they cannot afford the high costs, as the price they receive for their catch is the same as for fishermen in zones A, B, and C, who do benefit fr om petrol and diesel subsidies," he told Bernama. Abdul Hamid said that continuing the petrol and diesel subsidy programme for fishermen can also help to stabilise the price of fish, boost the country's economic growth and thus guarantee the well-being of the people. Abdul Hamid said he also hoped that the cost of living allowance of RM300 per month would also be extended to boat owners for zones B and C. "At the moment, boat owners and workers in zone A receive the allowance, but for zones B and C, only workers enjoy this assistance," he said. The 2025 budget will be tabled in Parliament on Oct 18. Source: BERNAMA News Agency