Suitable site for agro park identified, says chief minister
SIBU: An area near Sarikei has been identified as a suitable location for setting up an agro park, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said yesterday.
He said the proposed agro park will eventually take up about 2,000 acres.
“What we need now is people who have the technology to work the land,” he added.
Earlier, a representative from Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), Kong Hian Khim, requested the Sarawak government to allocate a piece of land of about 3,000 acres along Sibu-Tanjung Manis area for the setting-up of an agro park.
Abang Johari said the land near Sarikei will be demarcated like that of industrial estate – one block could be 10 acres – and if there is an investor who needs 30 acres, the investor will take three blocks.
He was speaking when officiating at a business dialogue organised by Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Sibu for some 400 people.
“It is just like the model on industrial estate. We are doing that and if there is a need to increase the acreage, we will expand it,” he said.
Replying to Kelvin Lau, also from SCCCI Sibu, who asked about food and beverage manufacturing industry, Abang Johari said the state government is placing emphasis on research and development under the Research Council which is collaborating with universities.
The research and development is to make sure the ingredients and contents of food and drinks are correct and up to certain standard, he explained.
Talking to reporters after the dialogue, the chief minister described his meeting with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) as good.
The Special Cabinet Committee ( Steering Committee) to review MA63, which aims to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in Malaysia, held its first meeting on Dec 17 last year.