KUCHING: Following the recent controversy on the construction of Batang Lupar Bridge which is deemed as a “waste of money” by some parties, there is no doubt that the facility will eventually enhance the development of Beting Maro.
This was emphasised by Beting Maro assemblyman Razaili Gapor during Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Taman Sejoli near here, yesterday.
“With the state government’s efforts, mapping has been done throughout the state to identify potential agricultural areas.
“Along with the potential areas for agricultural activities and Batang Lupar bridge as a connectivity route, we can boost big scale commercialisation.
“The areas will become commodity areas for fishery, pineapple, coconut and ‘gula apong’ (nipah sugar).”
Razaili also added that he was well aware that the areas in Muara Saribas such as Beladin, Pusa, Semarang, Spinang and Maludam are major fishery areas in Sarawak in terms of fishermen population.
“These areas are also among the first ones launched in 1981 for national-level deep-sea fishing activities in Malaysia. That was the time when the areas were lifted as Rural Growth Centre (RGC).”
He added that a year ago, MD2 pineapple farming project in Beladin has seen sold out revenue in three days since its harvest in February and March.
“Muara Batang Saribas areas such as Maludam, Merbok, Semarang, Spinang and Kampung Batang Maro in Kabong, will be developed for coconut planting,” he said.
Last year, 200 acres of land were added for the cultivation including downstream products in addition to existing ones such as Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) as a value-added product for entrepreneurs.
For the areas of Beladin, Pusa and Tambak, 50 acres were added to the existing 200 acres of land for pineapple farming last year, which would see the end products this year.
“In addition, it is expected that we will also see bountiful harvest of pineapple involving this year’s 120 acres of land in Beladin and 100 acres in Pusa.”
At the same time, the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved an allocation of RM2 million to develop Kampung Tambak near Pusa as an industrial park for gula apong which will start its construction this year.
“Our gula apong is the best and largest in Malaysia so far. The demand is also high thus, we have to increase the production with the construction of the industrial park.
“With this, the production of gula apong can be multiplied and eventually increase the income of the population,” he explained.
