The Malaysian Insight

THE regret is always there at the back of Azrul Nizam Saidek’s mind.

The 23-year-old quit school in form one to become a fisherman to support his family and though he wishes he could study again, it seems too late for that.

Family come first, Nizam told The Malaysian Insight at the fishing pier of Kg Sg Haji Dorani in Sabak Bernam, Selangor.

“I quit school when I was 13. Financial reasons made me quit and to help my family.

“At that time, my father was suffering from asthma. He was the main breadwinner in the family but he could no longer work.

“I didn’t want to be a burden to my family and decided to learn to be a fisherman,” said Nizam, who earns between RM60 and RM100 a day.

His daily earnings depend on the catch, which is shared with other fishermen.

But he now regrets the decision because he no longer has the opportunity to go back to school.

“I was envious when I saw my other school friends taking their exams and wondered if I could do the same.

“Maybe I’m not fated to study and my sustenance can only come from fishing. I thought about going back to school when I was 16 but it was too late,” he said, adding that he also had to look for other opportunities to increase his income.

Nizam is part of a workforce of about 100 fishermen in the Sabak Bernam coastal area, most of whom quit school in their teens to go to the sea to support their families.

According to Sg Haji Dorani jetty chief, Zulkarnain Saidek, about 20% of working fishermen didn’t complete schooling. Many completed their primary education and quit once they entered form one to help their family finances.

Besides Sg Haji Dorani, the fishermen along the coast here work from piers on Sg Nibong, Sg Nipah, Sg Besar and Bagan Nakhoda Omar.

In Nizam’s village, Kg Haji Dorani, most of its 300 families work as farmers and fishermen.

They are fishermen in the class A category who catch fish about 30km or less from the shore using drift nets, tackles or nets.

Another teenager, Muhammad Rozzaimi Muhammad Nasron, 17, quit school in form four to help his family who also faced financial problems.

“This is my own choice. Some people tried to persuade me to stay in school but I didn’t want to. I want to be independent. At least, my parents don’t have to take care of me.”

But Rozzaimi also regrets that he didn’t finish secondary schooling.

The fourth child of six children, Rozzaimi said he knew the importance of education and wouldn’t want his younger siblings to quit school to work.

“I have a hard time working, so that my brothers and sisters can continue studying.”

For 18-year-old Rohaisam Rahmat, what began as a hobby and way to spend time with his father at sea has now become the daily grind after he dropped out of school in form one.

As with other youths, Rohaisam cited poverty as the reason.

“I have to work because my family are poor and I have seven siblings. Since working, I am able to help them go to school.”

Rohaisam, however, said he has no regrets quitting school. It was more important to help the family, he said.

He doesn’t think much of future challenges, like threats to fish-breeding grounds, marine pollution or overfishing that might see fewer fish to catch.

He is confident the Straits of Malacca would provide his family with an income.

“I will remain a fisherman.” – August 1, 2019.