SIBU: The Sarawak government will set up the Sarawak Sago Industry Development Board, with a start-up capital of RM5 million. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said being the largest exporter of sago products, Sarawak still needs to explore its potential in this sector. Generally, he pointed out that agriculture remains a very important area for Sarawak but new method needs to be utilised for this industry to generate more incomes. “We will use the new method that is, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in agriculture industry,” he said after officiating at a ‘Gawai-Raya’ event at Rumah Kalang, Bayan Ulu near Mukah yesterday. Abang Johari, who is also Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said to support this agriculture ...

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has earmarked three million hectares out of the state’s total landmass of 12.4 million hectares, for agricultural development.   This was stated by Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh, who said of the earmarked land, two million hectares will be converted into oil palm plantations. “Out of the 3 million hectares (for agriculture purpose), two million hectares will be converted to oil palm plantations of which 1.2 million hectares have already been planted. “The remaining one million hectares will be planted with other crops,” he said when officiating at the opening ceremony of the 1st Southeast Asia Fungal Red List Workshop at Gunung Gading National ...

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has approved a grant of RM6 million to develop and strengthen the buffalo rearing industry in Limbang Division.   Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas announced this yesterday when officiating at the 16th Babalung and Buffalo Racing Festival in Batu Danau, Limbang. Uggah, who is the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, represented Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. “Limbang Division has always been traditionally the state’s main producer of buffalo. In the year 2000, there were more 12,000 head of buffalo in Limbang. Now the number has dropped to about 5,500 head,” he said. “Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari wants the ...

KUCHING: Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datu Ik Pahon Joyik is now the acting Deputy State Secretary. Ik Pahon assumed that post after former Deputy State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion’s was appointed as Acting State Secretary earlier this month. Jaul is acting State Secretary when Tan Sri Morshidi Abdul Ghani is on leave until his retirement in August, this year. Jaul handed over duty to Ik Pahon at his office here today. Meanwhile, Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) director Awang Johari Awang Mustapha has been appointed the Acting Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development while former Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) ...

LAWAS: The Sarawak government has tasked state-owned energy development group, Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), with accelerating the initiative to light up rural areas in Sarawak. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the decision to appoint SEB to take over the rural electrification programme was in light of cuts to federal funding for the purpose. “We don’t have as much federal funds for this purpose, and the state government has decided to appoint SEB (Sarawak Energy) to take over these village road projects and rural electrification programme, where RM2.3 billion has been allocated,” he spoke during a breaking-of-fast event hosted by SEB for orphans and individuals with special needs, here on Saturday. With the appointment, Awang Tengah ...

BINTULU: The Land and Survey Department has introduced its Native Customary Rights (NCR) Kit in efforts to empower the application process for the surveying of individual lots under the second stage of the new NCR initiative. Its Bintulu Division superintendent Mohammad Zunica Mohamad Sapi’ee said the NCR Kit contained an application form, minutes of meeting for the formation of the Land Bureau Committee, lot distribution plan, brochure and a CD on the application process. “It is hoped that these documents will assist local community leaders to become intermediaries of the department to disseminate information and knowledge, and to guide their people to form the Land Bureau Committee,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday. He said a series of dialogue sessions ...

BETONG: Spaoh town would get a new bridge soon to replace the current single-carriage structure, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. According to him, the bridge would cost RM20 million and its architectural design is still being finalised. Upon completion, it would also be an iconic landmark, he added. Speaking before breaking fast with the Muslim community at Spaoh mosque on Monday, Uggah said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had told him that Spaoh town needed a better and bigger bridge because with the airport to be built there, it would be crucial for the town to have good facilities to cope up with the expected increase in traffic in the future. Uggah added that with the airport, there would be plans for more economic activities ...

KUCHING: Let religious freedom continue to prevail and be strengthened in Sarawak, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. The Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development said Sarawakians are all free to follow and practise their chosen faith. “This is the beauty of our lovely state. Let this religious freedom continue to prevail and to be strengthened. I believe the constant holdings of inter-faith gatherings, celebrations or prayer sessions will allow this to be achieved,” he said at the Wesak Day Celebration 2019 held at the Sarawak Buddhist Association (SBA) here on Sunday. The text of his speech was read out by Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian during the celebration themed ‘Collective ...

  SIBU: Members of Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) should turn their ‘Pua Kumbu’ (hand woven traditional textile) weaving into business. This is because the Iban Pua Kumbu has great appeal and potential in the world of haute couture, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said. “Let not your Pua Kumbu remain as just a cultural heritage. Exploit its potentials for income. Promote it on the internet or in e-commerce. Set up your supply chain and work out your marketing networks,” he said when officiating at SIDS Sibu Division pre-Gawai Dayak dinner here on Sunday. Uggah, who is also the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said his ministry was always ready to support them. He was ...

    SELANGAU: Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) has paid out a sum of RM1.088 billion as dividends so far. Chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the profit put paid to the allegation that Salcra did not bring any benefit at all to participating landowners. He said this at a meet-the-people session at Rumah Joseph Serang in Sekuau resettlement scheme here yesterday. Earlier, he performed the ‘manggol’ (land clearing) ceremony for an oil palm project on an initial 800 hectares of native customary rights (NCR) land involving Salcra and some 440 landowners in Sekuau. Uggah, who is also a deputy chief minister, said Salcra was now looking for landowners who had yet to claim a total of RM10 million in dividends. “We ...