By Chris Bishop
BETONG, Sept 26: The Sarawak government will take over all Tabung Haji plantations in Sarawak in an effort to further boost the income of the smallholders, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“The state government under GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) is currently negotiating with Tabung Haji to acquire all its plantations in Sarawak. At the moment we are negotiating on the cost (of taking over).
“This means that all Tabung Haji plantations will soon be taken over by our state government. This takeover will ensure that we will be able to assist all the smallholders in the areas.
“Just give me three months. I will complete the job with Tabung Haji. This will also include all the areas under Tabung Haji in Simunjan,” Abang Johari, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) told PBB delegates at PBB Mini Convention here today.
On top of that, the chief minister revealed that the state government will also initiated an agro park with anchor companies in these areas.
“With better infrastructure we will be able to market our products overseas. This will help us to develop land along the coastal areas,” he assured.
Additionally, he also revealed that the state government will continue to invest in artificial reef balls to ensure sustainable supply of fish for the local fishing community.
“We will have the longest distance in terms of artificial reef balls in the world with some 1,000 km along our coastal area,” he said.
Abang Johari also assured the fishermen that the State government will continue to assist them especially during landas season.
This year, he said, the state government has allocated RM20 million for the fishermen.
Meanwhile, the chief minister assured the people that the state government will continue to assist native customary rights (NCR) land owners to get their land titles.
“At same time I would like to advise NCR land owners to keep your land and not sell it once you have the titles,” he said, adding that they must also developed their land and not let it idle. -DayakDaily
