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Sago workers back to work

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File photo: A worker arranges the sago sections as his colleague (bottom left) mans the crane.

MUKAH: It was business as usual for the sago industry here after it has been allowed to resume operation following the imposition of the movement control order (MCO).

Currently, there are two sago factories in this district, one at Kampung Tabo and the other at Kampung Sau, and both are located by the riverside of Batang Mukah, about 10km from the town.

On the other hand, there are several sago suppliers, who operate either on their own or through middlemen, who then sell to the factories.

When the sago factories were ordered to close for two weeks in June due to the MCO, life was challenging for all those who were involved in the industry.

Sago worker Albert Martin was among those affected by the closure.

Albert, who is in his fifties, said it was challenging for him and other sago workers during that time.

“Now, it is business as usual for us,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.

He added life now had returned to normal for him and others who were involved in the sago industry.

On the current price of sago, he revealed that it was still low and stagnant at RM8 per 30-inch long section.

According to him, the price used to be RM8.50 per section about three years ago but had dropped to the current level.

It is learned that the price in Dalat district is higher, between RM10 and RM12 per section from many years ago until now.

Albert, like most other sago suppliers in this district, was unaware of the newly formed Sago and Nipah Industry Board.

Nevertheless, he hoped that the board would help to develop the sago industry and improve the price, to be able to catch up with the ever-increasing cost of living.

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