KOTA KINABALU, 17 February 2022 – PETRONAS today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) Sabah to provide sustainable livelihood for the fishermen communities in the state through social impact programmes.

Following the MoU, a total of 40 Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD), priced at RM40,000 each, will be distributed to the fishermen communities over a period of two years, benefitting over 200 fishermen.

The FAD project serves to create an alternative fishing ground away from restricted zones.

At the signing ceremony, PETRONAS was represented by Head of Petroleum Operations Management of Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), Handan Ramli, while the DoF was represented by its Director, Azhar Kassim. Signing as witnesses were PETRONAS General Counsel of MPM, Shahriman Johan Noor, and Senior Assistant Director of Fisheries, Lawrence Kissol.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also the State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, as well as PETRONAS Senior Vice President of MPM, Mohamed Firouz Asnan, and Head of PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan, Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab.

Handan said: “This collaboration is a testament of the mutually beneficial relationship between PETRONAS and the state which aims to positively impact the fishermen communities while ensuring a sustainable marine biodiversity. Through this project, we also hope to minimise encroachment incidents and further mitigate safety issues faced by the fishermen in Sabah waters.” 

The FAD project, a safety outreach programme for coastal communities, is aimed at educating fishermen on the dangers of vessel encroachment within the 500-metre safety radius surrounding PETRONAS’ offshore operations.