Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s licensing authorities must explain why fishermen are waiting up to a month to renew their licences, with Tanjung Aru Assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong saying the administrative problem could affect their livelihoods.
Junz said reported waiting times of between two weeks and a month were unacceptable for fishermen who relied on their daily catch to support their families.
He called on the relevant authorities to identify the causes of the delays, explain where the processing system was failing and outline measures to resolve the problem.
Fishermen should not have to bear the financial burden of administrative shortcomings, he said, particularly when their ability to earn an income depended on timely licence renewals.
Junz urged the authorities to review existing procedures, improve coordination and streamline the process to ensure applications were handled within a reasonable timeframe.
He stressed that accountability must go beyond providing explanations, with the agencies concerned expected to demonstrate concrete action to address the delays and prevent them from recurring.
For Sabah’s fishing communities, prolonged waits for licence renewals could mean lost working opportunities and reduced income.
Junz called for an urgent resolution, saying fishermen deserved efficient public services and timely action to protect their livelihoods.