The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) anticipates the monsoon surge to begin on Jan 7 or 8, with possible continuous heavy rainfall up to three days over certain states, especially Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.
The Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) Labuan reminded fishermen to constantly check the weather conditions with the Meteorological Department before heading out to sea for fishing activity.
Its director, Dzulkifli Mad Ali said the fishermen’s cash income, be they commercial and traditional fishermen, had been affected since November to December last year due to the bad weather condition.
“But the scenario is considerably accepted by the fishermen here, as such a weather condition is beyond our control,” he told BERNAMA, Monday.
Dzulkifli said due to the uncertain weather condition, most of the fishermen opted to do repair works on their fishing equipment and tools at the LKIM’s Fisheries Complex and jetty in Kiansam.
He said a total of 880 commercial and traditional fishermen were registered with the LKIM Labuan.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has cautioned the public living in flood-prone areas to keep themselves updated on weather reports, in view of the monsoon rain predicted to hit the country on Wednesday and Thursday.
Its minister, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin in a statement last week said his ministry, through the Meteorological Department, would continue to monitor weather conditions nationwide, including in Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
–BERNAMA
