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By Shikin Louis
SEBUYAU, Aug 18: The ongoing construction of the 26 kilometres (km) seawall project from Tambirat in Asajaya to Sebangan in Sebuyau will put an end to coconut trees growing along the coastal areas to look like ‘mati endak juak, idup endak juak’ (neither living nor dying).
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the seawall project is necessary to prevent saltwater intrusion on agriculture and farmlands and allow for more structured agricultural development.
“The land (along Sebuyau coastal areas) is rich in alluvial soil. However, it is affected by saltwater.
“We cannot build the Sebuyau seawall little by little because if we build it only in a certain area, the saltwater can still come in from both ends of the seawall and the coconut trees will continue to grow like ‘mati endak juak, idup endak juak’.
“That is why we built the seawall up to Sebangan and costing about RM350 million,” he said when officiating at the opening ceremony of the Al-Muflihin Mosque broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) on Facebook.
Abang Johari further said that the coconut plantation is a lucrative business where each tree could potentially give a return worth RM100.
“The coconuts are very expensive presently. In Singapore, one coconut fruit costs about RM12. That is only one coconut fruit; what about 100 of them?
“Thus, planting coconut will increase the local community’s income. After you reap the profits, do not forget to pay ‘zakat’ (tithe). If you pay, your ‘rezeki’ (sustenance) would further increase,” he added.
Amongst those present were Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi who is Sebuyau assemblyman; Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Utility) and Deputy Minister in charge of Islamic affairs, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC) president Datu Misnu Taha; and Samarahan Resident Irwan Bahari Bujang. — DayakDaily
