KUCHING: It is important to safeguard the reputation and integrity of Sarawak pepper.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas stressed the critical significance of the measure, emphasising its pivotal role in upholding the reputation of Sarawak pepper as a premier export commodity.
“We must not allow those unscrupulous traders to mix the commodity with those originating from other producing countries to increase their export volume.
“This kind of adulteration can have adverse effects on our reputation and overseas demands,” he said after welcoming a team from Malaysia Pepper Board( MPB) and Syarikat SaraSpice Sdn Bhd who visited him at his office here recently.
Uggah said Sarawak had many private wharves where outside Sarawak pepper could be brought in.
“So the question of proper enforcement is very crucial. We must ensure our pepper export consists only of genuine Sarawak pepper which is of better and higher quality than the rest,” he added.
He also called on MPB to find ways to increase the state production and attract more of youth to go into pepper farming.
“On this too, I hope the board can come up with ways how our farmers can increase creamy white pepper production without resorting to chemical usage.
“Please consider other premium (pepper) products as well,” he added.
He said the board should inform the respective elected representatives whenever it wanted to distribute subsidies to their areas.
The MPB visit was led by its chairman Datuk Anyi Ngau and its director-general Vincent Sawat while SaraSpice was represented by its chairperson Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie.
