KUCHING, Feb 16: The quality and reputation of Sarawak pepper must be safeguarded against adulteration, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, noting its status as a top-quality export commodity.
“This kind of adulteration can have adverse effects on our reputation and overseas demand,” said Uggah when welcoming an entourage from the Malaysia Pepper Board (MPB) and Syarikat SaraSpice Sendirian Berhad at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
The entourage was led by its chairman Dato Anyi Ngau and its director-general Vincent Sawat, while representing SaraSpice was its chairperson Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie.
Uggah highlighted the risk posed by Sarawak’s numerous private wharves, where outside pepper could be introduced, underscoring the need for stringent enforcement to ensure Sarawak pepper exports consist solely of genuine, superior-quality Sarawak pepper.
“In addition to that, another issue which could arise was when our current export record did not match our current harvest production.
“Then questions would be asked by the more discerning importing European countries how this had happened,” he added.
Meanwhile, Uggah called for MPB to find ways to increase the State’s production and attract more of its youth to go into pepper farming.
He also hoped that the board can come up with ways to help local farmers increase creamy white pepper production without resorting to the use of chemicals. — DayakDaily
