JULAU: Pepper from Julau District is identified as the highest quality pepper in the world, said Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
She said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government would strive to assist pepper smallholders in Sarawak.
“In the past, the price of pepper was very high, but now pepper prices have dropped since the end of last year.
“I will take note of any requirements and complaints given by any party especially in Julau,”
Dr Wan Azizah said at a press conference held in conjunction with the meet-the-people session at Rumah Panjang Rengayan Ngumbang, Nanga Ruyak on Tuesday.
She added that she would request Julau Member of Parliament, Larry Sng Wei Shien to take note of the matter and try to help in solving the problems faced by Julau district residents especially on infrastructure problems, water problems, electricity supply problems and road problems.
Dr Wan Azizah who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said that although the quality of pepper in Julau was high quality, they were also facing international competitions with low-quality pepper from Vietnam and India.
In the meantime, she said, RM100,000 has been approved to upgrade the road heading to the Rumah Rengayan longhouse.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister Department Fauziah Salleh and Julau Member of Parliament Larry Sng Shien were among those present.
Dr Wan Azizah’s visit to Sarawak is the first since she was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
