13 Sejahtera mini estate projects bearing results

OF the 52 Sejahtera mini estate (Mesej) projects implemented throughout the state, 13 have yielded results, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Malleh.

He said this involved seven oil palm, four rubber and two aquaculture Mesej projects.

He said the Mesej project was aimed at alleviating poverty by ensuring that participants earn income by working on the farms and from dividend payments when the farm operations achieved profits, while enjoying various facilities such as housing, roads, water supply and electricity.

"Two fully-operated oil palm Mesej projects, namely Kampung Sungai Laba Mesej, Pulau Sebatik in Tawau and Kampung Bunang 1 Mesej in Keningau each has 33 heads of households who are now enjoying the benefits after toiling on the oil palm farms since 2010.

“They are receiving RM300 monthly dividends", he said, adding over 2,500 household heads would be involved by the time all the Mesej projects were implemented.

He was replying to a question from Limus Jury (BN-Kuala Penyu) who wanted to know how far the Mesej projects have fared in Sabah in helping the people get out of poverty, in the Sabah State Assembly sitting esterday.

Radin said the ministry would continue to improve socioeconomic status, basic infrastructure and human capital, especially in the Mesej projects to ensure continuous developments in line with the rural transformation programme.