Cement shortage: Yong calls for urgent remedy
KUCHING: Opposition assemblywoman Violet Yong has called on the state government to address the cement shortage issue in the state. She warned that if it were to continue, coupled with the rising prices of building materials, the construction industry will be impacted badly. Yong told the House on yesterday (Nov 23) that the Sarawak government […]
Hunting main threat to orangutans, not palm oil
KUCHING: Are palm oil plantations the main threat to the survival of orangutans in the wild? No, hunting is the biggest threat, says the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC). Its minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said while it is true that orangutans in Borneo have become an endangered species, it is also equally true […]
Minimum wage: Oil palm players seek postponement
KUCHING: The federal government has been urged to postpone the implementation of the new minimum wage and give more breathing space to the oil palm industry. Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Felix Moh stated that oil palm companies in Sarawak are not ready for the implementation of the RM1,500 […]
Bursa Malaysia Derivatives’ night trading to attract more international traders
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Bhd’s move to launch the after-hours (T+1) night trading session will likely attract more market participants from around the world, and is expected to boost trading periodically every quarter, says CGS-CIMB Futures Sdn Bhd. Senior dealer Muhammad Azwan Sekeri said the initiative would also give traders more opportunities to gain […]
High price of oil palm fruits attracting thieves
MIRI: Oil palm smallholders can heave a sigh of relief with fresh fruit bunches (FFB) reportedly selling at between RM740 and RM900 per metric tonnes, as they try to survive during this difficult period following the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the increase in FFB prices has also attracted others – such as thieves to go to […]
Pineapple, midin potential peatland crops
KUCHING: Besides oil palm, pineapple and sago palm are among the crops that can be cultivated on peat soil, said tropical peatland expert Dr Lulie Melling. “Also, we should explore the cultivation of ‘midin’ (Stenochlaena palustris — which is eaten as a popular vegetable similar to fiddlehead ferns) on a big scale in our shallow […]
Peat fires not caused by oil palm plantations – Expert
KUCHING: A peat soil expert has scoffed at the notion that oil palm plantation on peat lands is among the causes of peat fires in the state. Tropical peat land expert Dr Lulie Melling said peat land fires often resulted from open burnings at unmanaged land or large areas of idle land. “Looking at our […]
Prototype oil palm harvester being developed
KUCHING: The state government is financing the development of a prototype harvester for the oil palm industry, revealed Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. He said that finding workers had always been a challenge in the oil palm industry, particularly fruit harvesters, as Sarawakians were reluctant to take on this tough job. “Therefore, […]
Oil Palm: From ornamental to commercial
Palm oil is one of the world’s most lucrative natural commodity. While the cultivation of oil palm can take years, the harvest, on the other hand, depends on the current climate. Nonetheless, the crop is much needed for our everyday life. It is the miracle ingredient in everything: from food, to personal care and cosmetics, […]
Landscape of NCR land set to change
LUNDU: The landscape of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land in rural Sarawak is bound for a change following the state’s plan to utilise unused NCR land for the planting and replanting of oil palm. Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas revealed that a proposal on the matter would be forwarded to the Rural […]
