“I see PADAN as having great potential to be directly integrated with LKIM's MyMinyak application. Through this integration, PADAN can act as the master database to verify fishermen's eligibility before any subsidised fuel purchase transaction is made,” he said.

Mohamad said this in his speech at the launch of PADAN and the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sabah fish marketing to the Peninsula, held in conjunction with the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here today.

He added that the use of PADAN will also facilitate evidence-and fact-based real-time decision-making for policy makers, while allowing allocations and incentives to be planned based on the actual needs of the fishing community at every jetty and base.

Regarding the MoU exchange at the event, he said the collaboration between the National Fishermen's Association (NEKMAT) and Sandakan-based Widegrowth Marine Products Sdn Bhd and Metro Jaya Seafood Sdn Bhd reflects a commitment to strengthening the supply network of fisheries products from Sabah to the Peninsula.

“Among the main approaches of this collaboration is the supply of processed and frozen fishery products using the Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) method.

“This technology ensures that the quality, freshness, and original standard of fish from Sabah's waters are maintained throughout the cross-sea transportation chain to the Peninsular market,” he said.

Mohamad added that additional sources from Sabah will also help diversify domestic fish supplies, stabilise prices, reduce dependence on imported sources, and strengthen NEKMAT’s role as a bridge between local producers, industry players, and the retail market.

-- BERNAMA