They claim the net supplier is cutting costs to enjoy a bigger profit margin.

Kuala Sungai Burung Fishermen’s Association spokesperson Abdul Malik Man said the fishermen had previously received nylon nets of superior quality.

The Penang government assists the fishermen by supplying them with fishing nets twice a year.

The last delivery of fishing nets, however, had been made of “just threads” that were easily torn, they claimed.

“Nylon nets cost RM87 a bundle but the thread-type nets cost only RM30.

“It is very unfair of the supplier to make a profit at our expense,” Malik claimed.

He explained nylon nets were good for catching schooling fish and prawns.

“Each of us are usually given two bundles of nylon nets twice a year, which we use to catch prawns and small fish.

“But these thread-type nets are totally unacceptable.

“Something is wrong and the Penang government should investigate the net supplier.”

Malik and 20 other fishermen held a protest today at a sparsely populated fishing village near Malindo Beach on the west coast of the island.

Malik said he filed a police report on the matter last week and was considering a report to the anti-graft agency.

In response, state executive councillor in charge of agriculture Dr Afif Bahardin said the nets were purchased based on order forms filled in by the fishermen themselves.

“I’ve already asked my officers to investigate.

“We usually buy the type, size and brand of net that they like. We were merely obeying their wishes.”