MUKAH: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg launched the first pilot liquid sago waste treatment plant in the world, in Kampung Teh about 10km from town, yesterday.
The plant was developed by Craun Research Sdn Bhd (Craun) though a joint-venture effort with Nitsei Sago Indtustries Sdn Bhd, and said to cost about RM10 million including research and development (R&D).
He said the Sarawak government contributed about RM1.5 million to the project and the balance was financed by the federal government.
“The government would consider allocating fund beyond this (plant) as it has the potential to generate electricity and gas which could also be used for cooking and other purposes,” he told reporters after the launching ceremony.
Earlier in his speech, the chief minister congratulated Craun and its scientists for their success in R&D, culminating in the establishment of the first liquid sago waste treatment plant in the world.
Abang Johari added being the first in the world, the plant has put Kampung Teh, Mukah in the world map because other sago producing countries like Papua New Guinea and Indonesia have no such plant.
According to him, the plant would certainly help in increasing value-added sago products, and also increase the income of sago smallholders in Sarawak in future.
He said currently some 40,000 hectares of sago are planted in Sarawak particularly in Mukah and Betong Divisions.
Craun chief executive officer Zaidell Hussaini in his welcoming speech said a study on the liquid sago waste treatment began in 2003, before the proposed plant was implemented and now operational since May this year.
He thanked strategic partner Nitsei Sago Industries Sdn Bhd and process consultant SIRIM Bhd for their cooperation and support respectively.
Zaidell hoped that the government would allocate more fund to CRAUN in future to enable them to undertake similar R&D projects.
