Jade Emperor birthday celebration at Pulau Betong

The Hokkiens and other devotees of the Thni Kong (Jade Emperor) at the little village of Pulau Betong celebrated the deity's birthday on the ninth day of the Chinese New Year.

The village mostly Chinese inshore fishermen families, came all out to celebrate and to offer their prayers last night.

The offerings to the Jade Emperor included roast pork and the must-haves such as ang koo (red tortoise buns), mee koo (red-coloured buns), huat kuih (prosperous cakes), t'ng tak (sugar pagodas) and sugar cane.

Video by Jimmy Leow

Inshore fisherman waits for compensation

Mohd Saifullah, an inshore fisherman from Teulk Kumbar, Penang is still waiting for a reasonable compensation from the owner of a commercial trawler. Saifullah claimed that the trawler had damaged his fishing net as it came too near to the shore. When approached by Saifullah, the trawler captain offered RM 600 as compensation. "I have lost 1,800 feet of fishing net due to this incident and the cost of making one this long is approx RM 3800.00, and without it I cannot go to the sea." he added. Saifullah who is the bread winner of the family said that he has lost the ability to support his mother's medical needs. She suffering from heart problem and diabetes. 

Video by Jimmy Leow

Maritime lookout post needed in Pulau Betong

Located about 1 kilometer from the small fishing village of Pulau Betong, Penang, a container was converted into a lookout post many years ago by the Fisheries Dept. The purpose of this lookout post was to assist the Fisheries officers curb commercial trawlers encroaching near the shores.

Pulau Betong inshore fishermen chairman, Tan Ah Kee recalled Fisheries Dept even had a speed boat nearby to catch the "ghost" trawlers when they receive a report from the inshore fishermen.

Tan said even those days (about 20 years ago), commercial trawlers had started to encroach into their fishing grounds. He insisted Fisheries or Maritime should use back the old container office here in Pulau Betong as a service center to cater for complaints and feedbacks from fishermen. Furthermore, their response time will definitely improve tremendously as they are nearer to the problem.

Video by Jimmy Leow, Citizen Journalist

Inshore fishermen to defend fishing grounds

Pulau Betong inshore fishermen encountered commercial trawlers encroaching into their fishing grounds and took some photos of the trawlers and its position. They made a police report and related the incident to CJ Jimmy Leow,

Video by Jimmy Leow, Citizen Journalist

"Ghost trawler" caught red handed

Based on a lead received, CJ Jimmy Leow and Pulau Betong fishermen went out to the sea to investigate a possible encroachment by commercial trawler.

Video by Jimmy Leow, Ciizen Journalist

Stop encroahing our fishing grounds

About 500 inshore fishermen in Penang have signed a petition asking the government to extend the fishing ground radius from five to twelve nautical miles, allowing them more chances of improving their catch. They said that with the encroachment by commercial trawlers in their current fishing grounds, it is difficult to make ends meet. Several inshore fishermen relate their views and bad experiences with commercial trawlers at sea.

Video by Jimmy Leow, Citizen Journalist

Pulau Betong: Where time stood still

Kampung Pulau Betong, a sleepy hollow fishermen village located southwest of Penang Island. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, take a slow drive there and enjoy the simpleness of everything there..

Video by Jimmy Leow, Citizen Journalist

Hunt for Ghost Trawlers

For decades the Pulau Betong inshore fishermen's fishing grounds were encroached by commercial trawlers. This trawlers enter the five nautical mile radius which is illegal as far as the law is concerned, but enforcement is weak and the culprits return to the same fishing grounds, taking away the livelihoods of the inshore fishermen.

Teamed with Tan Ah Kee, the Pulau Betong inshore fishermen chairman, CJ Jimmy Leow set out to the sea to catch the commercial trawlers.

Video by Jimmy Leow, Citizen Journalist

Pulau Betong fishermen fuming over trespassing trawlers

Fishermaen in Pulau Betong, Balik Pulau, Penang had a face to face dialogue session with Penang Fisheries Department on May 04, 2010.

The fishermen have lodged nine police reports related to trawlers trespassing their fishing grounds since January this year.

Mokhtar Mahmud, head of operations of Penang Fisheries Dept said the department was taking action against the trawlers who trespassed the 5 nautical mile radius.

Video by Jimmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist