Agro sector in Marudi to be empowered, assures DCM
MARUDI: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS) -led government is committed to empowering the agriculture sector in Marudi through several initiatives, including the establishment of a collection, processing and packaging centre ( CPCC) for agricultural products in the state constituency.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas says this is in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring that the people in the interior areas are not left behind and on par with others in developed societies.
“The GPS government has discussed on the building of the CPCC so that whatever produce that the people in Marudi and Beluru have, can be properly processed and packed.
“We need the CPPC so that we can work out things with proper management and packaging and ensure that all our products will meet international standards and requirements,” the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development told an audience of nearly 4,000 people at the ‘Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat’ in the 75- door Rumah Egang Samy in Sungai Selepin, Beluru here recently.
“In addition to that, I have proposed for the increase of Agriculture officers in Marudi as the existing manpower is insufficient to cater to and assist hundreds of farmers here,” he added.
Uggah also called upon the rural people to diversify their agricultural activities and their cash crops.
“I understand that people here are mostly involved in oil palm plantation. Nevertheless, I hope the villagers here would also plant various crops such as durians and other fruits, besides rearing cattle.
“This is vital to ensure that the income of the population does not depend entirely on one produce like oil palm. When palm prices drop, farmers would still have crops or other sources that can generate income,” he added.
On the event, Uggah expressed his gratitude to the rural residents for their presence, which showed their strong support to GPS.
He said the main objectives of the event were to explain the struggles of GPS to develop the rural areas to be on par with other areas, and also the government’s commitment in resolving issues related to Native Customary Rights ( NCR) land.
At the event, Uggah announced grants of RM50,000 for Rumah Egang Samy security and development committee (JKKK) and RM10,000 for its women’s bureau.
He also allocated RM30,000 to the Beluru Marudi Longhouse Chieftains Associations.
Uggah, who is also the ministerincharge of the Unit for Other Religions ( Unifor) also presented grants to houses of worship in Marudi constituency, namely the Gereja Tubuh dan Darah Kristus Bakong ( RM150,000), Sungai Entulang All Saints Church ( RM150,000), St Philip’s Church ( RM100,000), Anglican Church Marudi ( RM70,000), Methodist Church Marudi ( RM70,000), Borneo Evangelical Mission ( BEM) Long Tisam ( RM200,000) and BEM Long Nyiru ( RM60,000).
He also handed over MRP grants worth RM688,000 to 46 recipients comprising longhouse JKKKs, schools and associations, and RM500,000 to repair 20 longhouses.
Assistant Minister of Local Government and Marudi assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil and his wife Datin Monica Ukong, Bintulu MP and Progressive Democratic Party ( PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi who is also GPS secretary- general, Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting representing Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat, Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) representative and a political secretary to the chief minister Edwin Banta, Miri Resident Mastapha Julaihi, Miri Mayor Adam Yii, Marudi District officer Mackos Sibong and Beluru District officer Alfred Geling were among those present at the event.