By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 14: The Sarawak Fisheries Department is expected to be established by the end of this year, said Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
According to a report by TVS, Rundi said preparations are currently underway to complete a working paper before it is tabled in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN), as several key details are still being refined.
“We are currently reviewing the relevant ordinances, especially with Sabah already having implemented theirs. We will study their approach and aim to implement it either in May or November this year.
“Once all preparations are in place, we will proceed with tabling it alongside a review of all related ordinances and regulations,” he reportedly said at the launch of the new office and logo of the Sarawak Land Development Board (LTKS) here today.
He explained that the establishment of the State-level fisheries department aims to complement the efforts of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) in driving the growth of Sarawak’s fisheries sector.
Previously, during his ministerial winding-up speech at the DUN sitting last year, Dr Rundi mentioned that the proposal paper for the formation of the Sarawak Fisheries Department was in its final stages and expected to be presented to the State Cabinet this year. — DayakDaily
