TYT: State Government committed to bring Sabah out of economic turmoil
KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will redouble its efforts to further increase economic growth and improve the wellbeing of the people.
Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin said in order to realise this desire, various development initiatives and programmes will be intensified.
“The State Government is very committed to bring the state of Sabah out of the economic turmoil caused by Covid-19.
“Therefore, 2024 is a very important year for the State Government to ensure that all the initiatives and programmes and development projects that have been planned under 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) are implemented effectively and efficiently in line with Malaysia Madani's goals, the direction of Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan (Development Plan SMJ) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This is to ensure that the allocations that have been prepared can be spent efficiently and as much as possible so that the benefits reach the people in the targeted period,” he said in his address for the opening of the 16th State Legislative Assembly sitting on Thursday.
According to him, the initiatives and programmes include to boost the development of key and new economic sectors, increase existing revenue and explore new sources of revenue and attract more investments.
In the agricultural sector, Juhar said the State Government will continue to focus on increasing the production and Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) for agricultural products in Sabah to strengthen food security, especially for the rice commodity.
“Several strategies have been implemented by the State Government to improve rice SSL, such as the 100-hectare New Area Development Project for Rice Crops in Taritipan Estate, Kota Marudu in collaboration with Sawit Kinabalu Sdn Bhd as well as the Sabah State Reservoir Outside Rice Field Liming Program with the National Farmers' Organisation (NAFAS) involving a 1,050-hectare area.
“This year, efforts to increase rice SSL continue to be strengthened through the implementation of initiatives such as increasing the frequency of rice planting and area, optimising the provision of fertiliser assistance and rehabilitating abandoned rice paddy areas in stages,” he said.
Juhar added the State Government will also empower rice seed satellite farms for selected varieties for research programmes and implement Sabah Integrated Rice Cluster project (KPBS).
With the implementation of these programmes, Juhar said Sabah rice SSL is expected to increase to 25 per cent this year.
Juhar highlighted that focus also continues to be given to strengthening food security for other crops through the implementation of crop development programs including the Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM).
In addition, he said the State Government also implemented a strategic collaboration with the Sabah Agriculture Department Staff Cooperative for the development of the coconut industry and the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) to increase the use of technology in land use planning, management and monitoring.
“This year, the effort to increase food crop production continues through the Food Crop Development Project which focuses on coconut, coffee and fruit crops, increasing production under the Contract Plantation Programme as well as intensifying the agricultural produce marketing programme through the Agricultural Collection Centers ( APCC).