Limbang, Lawas have potential to be aquaculture hub, says Awang Tengah
LIMBANG: Limbang and Lawas have all the ingredients to realise the potential to become the aquaculture hub of Sarawak.
In making this point, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan added that both districts have ingredients similar to areas in China with sterling success in these fields.
He was speaking at Limbang Maksak Futsal competition organised by Limbang Immigration Club at the indoor stadium here yesterday upon his return from a five-day visit to China leading a state delegation.
“Lawas and Limbang are the most suitable for caged culture as the similarities with China is there – Bay of Brunei, River mouth of Awat Awat, Punang, Kuala Lawas and Limbang, good quality water and mangrove ecosystem, “he said.
The strategic locations also make it ideal for exports as they are within a short distance from the excellent port facilities of Muara in Brunei and international air linkages apart from Labuan free port next door.
The conditions are ideal for collaboration with Brunei and Sabah in developing this industry, he added.
It was during the recent China trip that Awang Tengah, who is also the Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development and Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Pusaka Capital Sdn Bhd and TM Agro Holdings Sdn Bhd with Sun Valley Holdings Sdn Bhd at Crown Plaza Fuzhou Riverside to invest RM809 million in the aquaculture project at Tanjung Manis.
The delegation also visited the Hainan Chenhai Aquatic Co and Hainan Dingda Aquacultic Co. Ltd.in Wenchang to gain a better insight on the operation of cage culture farming.
Meanwhile, the deputy chief minister wants upgrading of the CIQ facilities in Miri, Limbang and Lawas to be accorded priority in view of the heavy visitor traffic and would bring this to the attention of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He pointed that a total of 1.7 million visitors entered Sarawak from the entry points from Brunei last year and the Immigration authorities should improve the facilities and services, including establishing a dedicated tourist bus lane.
“The request for upgrading of the Immigration checkpoints in Limbang and Lawas has been made to the federal government but there has been no response yet, “he said.
He said the issue of seamless travel between Brunei and Sarawak was also brought up in the recent bilateral meeting in Brunei earlier this month.
On the Maksak futsal competition, he saw it as promoting good physical and mental health among civil servants.
Limbang Resident Ir Ahmad Denny revealed that 29 teams, including seven women’s teams, are taking part in the competition in Limbang Indoor Stadium.