Values

Themes: Commerce, Values (Community)

Unit (Unit)

Fishermen across Penang organise themselves into local units, with the Sungai Batu fishermen (approximately 50-60 members) forming Unit Nelayan Sungai Batu.

The "unit" also gestures towards the site itself, a sheltered, central gathering spot by the sea where the fishermen rest, socialise and engage in various activities, including playing checkers, watching TV, having their meals, and mending nets.

Did you know?

The Sungai Batu fishing unit is one of the local fishing units under the broader structure of the Penang Fishing Association (Persatuan Nelayan Pulau Pinang), a state-level organisation that unifies and supports other units. The association, also known as Pen Mutiara, functions as a union, holding elections to represent the interests of the fishermen and is responsible for advocacy, governance, and cooperation between units.

The units operate on a relationship of mutual exchange with the association. The fishermen often sell their catch directly to the association instead of independent buyers, receiving year-end bonuses in return.

The Penang Fishing Association in turn operates under the oversight of LKIM (Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia, or Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia), the governing authority responsible for supporting and regulating fisheries nationwide.

Sub-Theme: Religious Piety

Mosque (Masjid)

Understood by the fishermen as the house of Allah, the mosque is both a sacred place of worship and a centre for community support.

Did you know?

The mosque emphasises three kinds of relationships that are essential to their religion:

1. With Allah

2. With Mankind & community (youths)

3. With other creatures

The mosque distributes food to the bottom 40th percentile, provides financial aid for students' education, and even offers funeral insurance.

Themes: Commerce, Values (Freedom)

Income (Pendapatan)

The fishermen’s source of livelihood--catching and selling fish, mending nets for others and performing other related tasks for the community--reflects their value for autonomy. One advantage of their trade is being able to earn a daily income, which affords them greater control over their time and activities as they can adapt their schedule to suit their immediate needs and priorities; they can decide for themselves when to rest, eat and fish.

Did you know?

Some of the fishermen recall a "golden moment" where they were able to sell approximately 30 kilos of catch in the market, translating to around RM1000 in profits that day!

If the day's income is deemed to be "good", some of the fishermen will organise a korban, or religious "sacrifice", to give thanks.

Themes: Fishing, Values (Community)

Fishing Spots (Lokasi perikanan)

Key information that is not treated as a closely-guarded secret. Good fishing spots for the day vary and are discovered as a result of a collective effort; the fishermen can often be seen shouting and gesturing out at sea to spread the word of good hauls at particular locations.

Did you know?

Some fishermen liken their search for good fishing spots to a blind person finding their bearings—they cannot simply "see" a productive area, but must navigate the waters through experience, relying on trial and error to identify the best locations.

In the past, artificial reefs were used as anti-trawler devices to prevent their encroachment into the zone demarcated for traditional fishermen (see "Zone")--these artificial structures would trap and tear their deep trawler nets. However, the Sungai Batu fishermen contend that the laws which prohibit the trespassing of these trawlers are presently more relaxed; artificial reefs are no longer employed, open seizures are no longer performed and trawlers are still able to continue their activities despite having been caught numerous times. The fishermen can still hear the rhythm of these larger, commercial vessels' engines as they fish under the cover of night, leaving the traditional fishermen with little to catch the next morning.

Sub-Theme: Freedom

Factory (Kilang)

Factory work is a common point of reference among the fishermen when discussing professions outside of fishing.

Did you know?

While some fishermen have prior experience working in factories and mention it as a viable alternative occupation, many of these factory workers, let alone the fishermen, are unable to purchase the new homes that are undergoing construction as part of the land reclamation project.

Themes: Fishing, Values (Professionalism)

Nets (Pukat)

The fishermen’s nets come in various shapes, sizes, colours and materials unique to a particular catch. They are at once essential fishing equipment and cultural artefacts--mending and employing them are among the most fundamental skills of any fully-fledged fisherman.

Did you know?

The nets used by fishermen are no longer locally made; they are now imported from Thailand, leading to a significant price increase from approximately RM30 to as high as RM160!

Crab nets are typically white in colour while those for udang are usually green and pink. There are also two types of shrimp nets: tangsi and benang. The former, made of nylon, is twice as expensive as the latter, a long, thin but flexible thread usually made of cotton or polyester and often used for sewing, weaving and stitching.

Themes: Commerce, Fishing, Values (Professionalism)

Prawn/Shrimp (Udang)

Udang, the Malay word for "prawn" or "shrimp", is not only the fishermen's primary catch, but also a cornerstone of their livelihood and identity; the fishermen have historically specialised in catching the once-abundant udang. However, udang is dwindling as a direct result of the reclamation projects (see "Reclamation").

Did you know?

The fishermen take great pride in their unique fishing practices and manual preparation techniques for good reason: their reputation for selling sweet, fresh udang extends beyond Penang to other regions in Malaysia.

Chinese restaurants clamour to purchase udang during Chinese New Year, causing its price to increase from around RM40-60 to RM70-80 per kilo during this festive period.

Risk (Risiko)

Risiko, or “risk”, is a constant presence in the daily life of the fishermen. It encompasses the unpredictability of the sea—shifting tides, sudden storms, and the volatile movement of wind and waves—as well as the hazards of physical labour involved in managing heavy nets and ropes, operating machinery, and maintaining boats.

Financially, risk involves the ever-rising cost of fuel and the possibility of returning with a smaller catch than expected, especially when forced to travel further from familiar fishing grounds. For all the danger and uncertainty that comes with the trade, the land reclamation project has only augmented the risiko of the fishermen’s livelihoods. See “Reclamation”.

Did you know?

The nets used by fishermen are no longer locally made; they are now imported from Thailand, leading to a significant price increase from approximately RM30 to as high as RM160!

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