About Us
Leading Fishermen Transformation
The SABAH FISHERIES AND FISHERMEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (KO-NELAYAN) is headed by the General Manager and Deputy General Manager, assisted by four (4) Assistant General Managers from the Management Services Division, Fishermen Development Division, Fisheries Industry Development Division, and Strategic Planning and Development Division. Ko-Nelayan has nine (9) Regional Offices throughout Sabah.
Our History
1978–1988 · Founding Era
1989–1997 · Early Consolidation
2000–2009 · Expansion
2010–2017 · Certification & Innovation
2018–2023 · Global Collaboration
- Datuk Haji Ghani Rashid was appointed as the First General Manager of Ko-Nelayan.
- Establishment of Ko-Nelayan as a cooperative under the name Koperasi Serbaguna Nelayan Sabah Berhad (Ko-Nelayan) under the Sabah State Co-operative Societies Ordinance.
- A Fisheries Complex and Sales Centre was planned to supply and distribute subsidised diesel to fishermen, along with facilities for processing and selling seafood.
- A Loan Assistance and Subsidy Scheme was introduced to fishermen.
- The Semporna and Numbak Fishermen Resettlement Scheme projects were announced by the former Chief Minister, Tan Sri Datuk Panglima Haris Salleh.
- The Jayadiri Fisheries Complex in Labuan Island began operations.
- Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Haris Salleh directed that the Inanam Brackish Water Project be entrusted to Ko-Nelayan to develop the Kuala Inanam Project.
- Cage culture of grouper, snapper, sea perch and carangid species was carried out at Kg. Serusup, Tuaran and the Mengkabong Estuary in Kg. Buangsa.
- Land clearing began for the Inanam Brackish Water Project.
- The Labuan Fisheries Training Centre was established at Layang-Layangan, Labuan.
- Implementation of the Semporna Fishermen Resettlement Scheme at Kg. Nelayan Jaya.
- Nelayan Jayadiri Sdn. Bhd. was established in collaboration with Syarikat Kerjasama Perikanan Jayadiri (Labuan) Sdn. Bhd. to assist Bumiputera fishermen in Labuan Island in the shrimp fishing industry.
- Construction of the Angkasa Kudat Factory began to process tiger prawns for the export and import markets.
- The Labuan Fisheries Training Centre admitted 35 students for modern fishermen training courses, with 4 instructors appointed from abroad to train the students.
- Construction began on 6 Fisheries Centres in Sabah's key districts: Papar, Sipitang, Semporna, Kuala Penyu, Kudat and Lahad Datu.
- Angkasa Sabah Sdn. Bhd. was taken over from SEDCO to become a Ko-Nelayan subsidiary through an Asian Development Bank loan.
- Koperasi Serbaguna Nelayan Sabah Berhad was dissolved and converted into a Statutory Body, the SABAH FISHERIES AND FISHERMEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (KO-NELAYAN), through Enactment No. 4 by the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (20 April).
- The first cohort of 35 graduates from the Labuan Fisheries Training Centre completed their studies and received diploma certificates.
- Nelayan Angkasa Sabah Sdn. Bhd. was established to manage the Freshwater Fish Farm at Jalan Apas, Tawau, operated by a private company.
- Implementation of the Trawl Boat Rental Scheme.
- The Fisheries Centres at Kuala Penyu, Sipitang and Papar were fully completed.
- The 5th General Manager, Tuan Datu Jack Maiks, was appointed to succeed Tuan Mahmod Haji Tahir.
- Basic Fishermen Village Development Assistance (BPAPN), such as jetties, roads, electricity generators, water pumps and bridges, was provided to fishing villages throughout Sabah, under State Government allocation to assist fishermen.
- The Aquaculture Entrepreneur Assistance Scheme (SBPA) received an allocation under the 6th Malaysia Plan. Assistance was provided in the form of aquaculture input supplies through credit and subsidised credit with a 3% service charge.
- Datuk Yee Fong Chun was appointed as the 2nd General Manager, succeeding Datuk Haji Ghani Rashid.
- The Shrimp Hatchery and Breeding Project at Tanjung Lipat, Kota Kinabalu, became fully operational with the addition of fish hatchery activities.
- The Semporna Fisheries Complex became fully operational and was entrusted to SAFMA to manage operations in collaboration with Semporna Fisheries Sdn. Bhd.
- The 3rd General Manager, Datuk Zaki Haji Gusmiah, was appointed to succeed Datuk Yee Fong Chun.
- The 4th General Manager, Tuan Mahmod Haji Tahir, was appointed to succeed Datuk Zaki Haji Gusmiah.
- The Fishermen Assistance Scheme (SBN) and Aquaculture Entrepreneur Assistance Scheme (SBPA) under the 5th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-5).
- The Grouper Cage Culture Project at Trayong began, teaching fishermen to farm fish.
- Trial/collection projects for Green Mussel Culture and Oyster Culture at Trayong and Serusup, Tuaran.
- The Inanam Brackish Water Project began aquaculture training classes for fishermen.
- A visit by corporation board members and Ko-Nelayan staff to fisheries and aquaculture projects in South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
- The "Aquaculture Investment Opportunities in Sabah" seminar, organised by Ko-Nelayan, was held at Hotel Hyatt Regency, Kota Kinabalu.
- The Molluscs Farming Project at Kg. Serusup, Tuaran, comprising green mussels (Perna viridis) and oysters (Crassostrea iredalei), was farmed in floating cages.
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries granted Ko-Nelayan full authority to manage the infrastructure of the Fishermen Resettlement Scheme at Kg. Numbak, Menggatal, with development funding from the government.
- The Aquaculture Entrepreneur Assistance Scheme (SBPA) received an allocation under the 6th Malaysia Plan. Assistance was provided in the form of aquaculture input supplies through credit and subsidised credit with a 3% service charge.
- Basic Fishermen Village Development Assistance (BPAPN), such as jetties, roads, electricity generators, water pumps and bridges, was provided to fishing villages throughout Sabah, under State Government allocation.
- The Fisheries Downstream Industry Project began operating at the Ko-Nelayan Kudat Fisheries Complex, producing jackfruit-seed fish satay and fish crackers.
- Daneel Aquaculture Sdn. Bhd. was established as a joint venture with Danish investors to farm eels at Kg. Lingkubang, Kota Belud.
- The Ko-Nelayan Open Day, themed "Advancing Together with Fishermen", was held at Padang Karnival Likas, Jalan Yayasan Sabah, Teluk Likas.
- A trial project at Kg. Lingkubang, Kota Belud, to farm the European eel species Anguilla anguilla using a Flow Through System.
- The "Seminar on Aquaculture Issues in Sabah", in collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Ko-Nelayan, was held at Hotel Hyatt Regency, Kota Kinabalu.
- The 6th General Manager, Tuan Syed Mohammad Abdillah, was appointed to succeed Tuan Datu Jack Maiks.
- The 7th General Manager, Datuk Sanin Datuk Haji Pandin, was appointed to succeed Tuan Syed Mohammad Abdillah.
- The "Seminar on Marine Fisheries Resources of Sabah", jointly organised by Ko-Nelayan and UKM Sabah Campus, was officiated by Tun Hj. Sakaran Dandai, former Chief Minister, at Hotel Hyatt Regency, Kota Kinabalu.
- A Memorandum of Understanding between Ko-Nelayan, the JKKK and the Kg. Ambong Fishermen Association for the Integrated Sea Cucumber and Abalone Mariculture Project at Kg. Ambong, Kota Belud.
- The Integrated Sea Cucumber and Abalone Mariculture Project, in collaboration with Ko-Nelayan and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Sabah Campus, conducted scientific research on farming Holothuria scabra at Kg. Ambong, Kota Belud.
- The 8th General Manager, Datuk Haji Ujang Haji Sulani, was appointed to succeed Datuk Sanin Datuk Haji Pandin.
- The Small Fisheries Industry Development (PIKP) programme was established. Assistance was provided in the form of processing equipment for downstream fisheries industry activities, through credit and subsidised credit with a 3% service charge.
- A groundbreaking ceremony at Kg. Laya-Laya, Tuaran, officiated by the former Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Sabah, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia, for the Fry Production Expansion and Diversification Development Project.
- The 9th General Manager, Tuan Talikop Lamsin, was appointed to succeed Datuk Haji Ujang Haji Sulani.
- Kelab Ko-Nelayan Sabah was registered by the Registrar of Societies on 16 September under Certificate No. 351.
- Pearl Farms Sdn. Bhd. was established in collaboration with an international company for a pearl oyster farming project at Bohey Dulang Island, Semporna.
- Kesatuan Kakitangan Ko-Nelayan (KESKONS) was established.
- The 10th General Manager, Datuk Awang Haji Samat, was appointed to succeed Tuan Talikop Lamsin.
- Ko-Nelayan obtained approval from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia to supply subsidised diesel for the first time to fishermen in Sabah.
- Kesatuan Kakitangan Ko-Nelayan (KESKONS) was registered under the Trade Unions Act 1959 on 23 July 2002, with registration certificate No. S87.
- The 11th General Manager, Tuan Haji Salimi Maralim, was appointed to succeed Datuk Awang Haji Samat.
- The Fry and Natural Aquatic Feed Production Complex at Kg. Laya-Laya, Tuaran, was certified MS ISO 9000.
- The 12th General Manager, Datuk Dr. Mohd Fowzi Haji Razi, was appointed to succeed Tuan Haji Salimi Maralim.
- The Fisheries Product Promotion Project was established to promote fish fry such as seabass, tilapia and tiger prawns, as well as the sale of Ko-Nelayan downstream entrepreneurs' products such as fish crackers and lekor.
- Ko-Nelayan became the sole distributor of subsidised diesel to fishermen in Sabah, along with a letter revoking approval for private jetties to supply subsidised diesel.
- The Sabah Hardcore Poverty Eradication Programme for Fishermen, under Federal Government allocation. Assistance was provided in the form of fishing equipment such as boats, outboard engines, nets, fish traps, fish cages and other fishing equipment. This scheme was in the form of subsidised credit.
- The 13th General Manager, Datuk Haji Masood Haji Salleh, was appointed to succeed Datuk Dr. Mohd Fowzi Haji Razi.
- A business exploration visit to General Santos, Philippines, by Datuk Jasa Datuk Haji Raudah, Chairman of Ko-Nelayan, and Datuk Haji Masood Haji Salleh, together with Ko-Nelayan officers, representatives of MAFI and the BIMP-EAGA Business Council, to explore investment opportunities in the tuna fishing industry.
- The Sabah Artisanal Fishermen Census was conducted by Ko-Nelayan in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Ali.
- FishMart Ko-Nelayan opened at Wisma Pertanian, officiated by the former Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Haji Hussin, where Ko-Nelayan products and products from Ko-Nelayan entrepreneurs were marketed.
- The Ko-Nelayan Muslim Staff Welfare Body (BAKIK) was registered as a society under Section 7 of the Societies Act 1966. Membership is open to all Muslim staff currently serving, as well as those who have retired or left service from Ko-Nelayan.
- The 1-AZAM (End Poverty Programme). Assistance was provided in the form of fishing equipment and working capital. This programme was under Federal Government allocation in the form of subsidised credit.
- The Ko-Nelayan Eco Aqua Tourism Project (WWP) was visited by Tan Sri Datuk Musa Haji Aman and Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin.
- Konel Venture Tour and Travel Sdn. Bhd. was established as a new Ko-Nelayan subsidiary to manage the Weston Wetland Park located at Kg. Weston, Beaufort.
- The Ko-Nelayan Entrepreneur Convention and Expo, held at the grounds of the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture building, was officiated by Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin.
- The Sabah Artisanal Fishermen Census 2012 Report was officially handed over by the Director of the Research and Innovation Management Centre, UMS, Prof. Dr. Felix Tongkul, representing the UMS Vice-Chancellor, to the Chairman of Ko-Nelayan, Datuk Samsuddin Yahya, at Wisma Pertanian.
- The Launching Ceremony for the Implementation of MS ISO 9001:2008.
- Ko-Nelayan was certified under the MS ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System by LRQA.
- Groundbreaking of the Ko-Nelayan Integrated Fisheries Complex at Kuala Penyu by Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Yahya Hussin, a project under the supervision of SEDIA.
- Ko-Nelayan and Triple Millenium Sdn. Bhd. collaborated to explore Deep Sea Fisheries.
- Ko-Nelayan, in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), developed the first dual-purpose fishing boat prototype for fishing and passenger transport in Sabah, using a research grant provided by Ko-Nelayan.
- The 14th General Manager, Tuan Haji Ismail Haji Ayup, was appointed to succeed Datuk Haji Masood Haji Salleh.
- The Ko-Nelayan Aquaculture Training Centre (KATC) launched its pioneer programme implementing the National Dual Training System (SLDN) in Marine Aquaculture.
- The Area Fishermen Association (PNK) was appointed as the retailer of subsidised diesel throughout Sabah.
- Ornamental fish fry production at the Koiduan Ornamental Fish Centre, Papar, was developed to produce Arowana and other ornamental fish, and to provide a training centre for target groups.
- The 15th General Manager, Tuan Haji Jumaat Intang, was appointed to succeed Tuan Haji Ismail Haji Ayup.
- Ko-Nelayan and Ternak Unggul Sdn. Bhd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of a fish fry nursing system, known as the Cheap & Efficient Nursery Tank System (CENTS).
- The Ko-Nelayan Fisheries Produce Carnival at the Ko-Nelayan Mini Aquaculture Park (TMA) in Kg. Laya-Laya, Tuaran.
- Ko-Nelayan staff signed the Anti-Corruption Pledge (IBR) together with representatives of the MACC.
- Launching Ceremony for the New MS ISO 9001:2015 Certification at Wisma Pertanian Sabah.
- A Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed with Guangxi Beihai Yuanlong Pearl Co. Ltd. of China for large-scale pearl farming in the State of Sabah.
- The 16th General Manager, Tuan Haji Yusof Haji Ag Besar, was appointed to succeed Tuan Haji Jumaat Intang.
- Ko-Nelayan, together with Beihai Yuan Long Pearl Co. Ltd., renewed the Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish a large-scale pearl farming project in the State of Sabah.
- Ceremony for the signing of the Corporate Code of Ethics of the Sabah Fisheries and Fishermen Development Corporation (Ko-Nelayan).
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ko-Nelayan and the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) — 18 August 2023, Hotel Promenade, Kota Kinabalu — launching the e-SMART (Electronic Sabah Mobile Artisanal Remote Technology) application, a satellite-technology-based application helping coastal fishermen in Sabah identify high-potential fishing locations, along with weather information, wave height, distance, fuel requirements, and tidal data, as part of a 5-year strategic collaboration.
Our Role
Core functions of the Corporation under Section 25 of the Ko-Nelayan Enactment 1981
Project Development
Undertaking fisheries and aquaculture projects with an emphasis on the advancement of the fishermen community
Employment & Economic Opportunities
Creating employment and profitable economic opportunities for the fishermen community
Business in the Fisheries Sector
Establishing fisheries-related business ventures independently or in joint ventures with other public authorities, public or private companies, or fishermen
Processing & Marketing Activities
Undertaking the processing and marketing of all fisheries produce including import and export
Transport Services and Credit Facilities
Operating transport services and providing credit facilities for the fisheries enterprise
Fisheries Produce Marketing Agency
Establishing a marketing agency to undertake the marketing of all fisheries produce including import and export
Sponsoring Social Programmes
Sponsoring social programmes such as marketing, health services, population development, environmental control, housing, better preschool and adult education, and other social programmes for the fishermen community
Fulfilling the Corporation's Objectives
Taking all other actions and measures that are necessary and expedient to fulfil the objectives of the Corporation
Logo Rationale
The meaning behind the design of Ko-Nelayan's official emblem
Logo Shape & Design
The logo is designed abstractly around the concept of a fishing net. It also depicts the earnest spirit of mutual cooperation and the efficiency of fishermen in their effort to obtain their catch — a source of livelihood as well as an important food source for humankind.
The use of space and lines shaped into a circle symbolises globalisation and progress.
The fish represents the rich marine treasures of Sabah's waters as a fisheries resource with great potential.
The pearl circle at the centre represents steadfastness and integrity.
Colours
Blue represents the professionalism of staff in fulfilling their entrusted duties, and also symbolises unwavering loyalty and team spirit in achieving the organisation's mission and vision.
Red represents enthusiasm, activeness and efficiency, as well as the organisation's earnest commitment to improving the quality of the fisheries industry.
Logo Values
The combination of form, shape and colour reflects the organisation's vision and mission to cultivate excellent corporate values within the organisation, catalysing a commercially-oriented and globally competitive fisheries industry that emphasises the active participation of the fishing community.
Source: Ko-Nelayan Annual Report 2020