Tiong: Taiwan varsity keen to modernise state’s agriculture

KUCHING: A Taiwanese university is keen to modernise the agriculture sector in Sarawak, revealed the Special Envoy to Taiwan, South Korea and Japan Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

He will meet up with Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to discuss the matter.

“I’m making an appointment to meet up with Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah on how to link the university with the state government to modernise our agriculture sector.

“Taiwan has the necessary technology to modernise our agriculture sector while we have the land,” Tiong told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

He said the university could specifically assist the state in paddy production, fish farming and animal husbandry, especially pig farming.

“In the long run, we want to become self- sufficient in food production because we have the potential,” he pointed out.

Though he refused to divulge the details of the said university, he believed that it had the necessary expertise to assist Sarawak gain higher yield and better quality per hectare of land.

“The said university is also interested in collaborating on research and development, to ensure that our agriculture sector will be sustainable and our farmers who are mostly natives could have higher income,” he added.

Tiong also revealed that both South Korea and Japan have invested in heavy industries at the Samalaju Industrial Park.

Meanwhile, Tiong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party ( PDP) president, lauded Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari’s policy to modernise Sarawak through digital economy.

“After a year in office Abang Johari has put Sarawak on the right footing to modernise and industrialise with the various policies in place,” he said.

Tiong said the Chief Minister had put much effort in promoting both digital economy and hi-tech industry in the state.

“In this regards, Bintulu will become the main hub for heavy and oil and gas industries. This will augur well for the people in Bintulu in particular and the whole state as a whole,” he said.

Tiong also congratulated Abang Johari on his first anniversary as the chief minister of Sarawak on January 13.

“On our part we will continue to support his policy and in the upcoming 14th general election, we promise to deliver all of our four seats, namely Mas Gading, Saratok, Bintulu and Baram for the BN,” added the Bintulu MP.