Food production main focus of new minister Junz

KOTA KINABALU: Newlyappointed Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Junz Wong envisions to ensure Sabah has ample rice supply for her people.

Speaking to press members after clocking in at Wisma Pertanian yesterday, Junz, who earlier attended a briefing session with the heads of departments under his ministry said food production would be his main concern and focus.

“I think it is important that Sabah is amply supplied with rice of good quality and at reasonable pricing,” he said.

He added that his first task on increasing rice production in Sabah would be focused in Kota Belud, also known as the rice bowl of the state.

“If we can upgrade the drainage and irrigation system, perhaps we will see results in Kota Belud. I hope the federal government has the money (to undertake the project),” he said.

In addition, he said illegal fishing by foreigners was also something he was keen on addressing.

He hoped for some amendments in policies that would allow the state to decide on deep sea fishing licensing.

At the same time, he also touched on the rubber industry and stressed that the function of the Sabah Rubber Industry Board should go back to facilitating smallholders and not compete with the private sectors as it is doing now.

“It should not be making money. It should facilitate smallholders,” he said.

He added that there was a plan to set up a tyre industry in Sabah, but the inadequate supply of rubber was hindering it from materializing.

He also opined that the policy regarding the taxing of smallholders needed to be amended.

“Smallholders should not be taxed,” he said.

And with regard to sand dredging activities, including the one in Kota Belud which was supposedly aimed at addressing the district's flooding issue, Junz said they would all be stopped.

“It is important that we make sure that the operations comply with all regulations,” he said.

He added that the flooding in Kota Belud had not been addressed despite the sand dredging works.

“So, we won't take another six months to continue. We must make sure that the sand dredging really helps,” he said.

Meanwhile, Junz said dealing with Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who was appointed as the Agriculture and Food Industry Minister in Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman's state cabinet, was not that important an issue for him.

“I will stay focused on delivering a much better result for Sabahans, rather than responding to a lot of irrelevant comments. We just need to continue working and show results. That is what the government is doing for the people. I will make sure that the people will not regret voting for us.”