PUSA: Sarawak aims to enhance the value of palm-based industries through scientific research.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has towards this end directed that significant attention be given to research aimed at extracting premium-quality ‘garam apong’ (nipah palm salt).
He expressed a desire to explore new methods of obtaining this premium organic salt from nipah palm trees.
“Some say that we need to cut down the nipah trunks to get the ‘apong’ (nipah).
“So we must find new ways to get the ‘getah apong’ (nipah sap) which is the raw material for us to produce by-products including ‘gula apong’ and ‘garam apong’,” he said at a Batang Lupar parliamentary-level Gawai Raya event held at the Tandang Sari compound here Saturday (June 3).
He cited the popularity of “gulapong” ice cream, made from gula apong (nipah palm sugar) by-products, as evidence of the market demand for such products.
“Today, many people want to eat ‘gula apong ice cream’. You can go to the Kuching Waterfront and see many people queued up to get the ice cream. This is one of the by-products of ‘apong’,” he added.
To support scientific research efforts and oversee the development of the nipah and sago industry, Abang Johari noted that the Sago and Nipah Development Board (SNDB) has been formed under the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development.
On the same note, he also mentioned an innovative use of methane gas extracted from sago waste in Kampung Teh, Mukah.
The gas is being distributed through the piping system as an alternative source of cooking gas to local households.
Abang Johari expressed his interest in expanding this concept to other regions, such as Batang Saribas, where nipah palm is in abundance.
If the gas can be distributed at a lower price, it can lead to the establishment of a domestic cottage industry, he said.
He added that various food products and ‘kuih-muih’ can be produced using the affordable gas.
Also present during the event were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also Betong Division Development Agency chairman, Deputy State Secretary (Economic and Development Planning) Datuk Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Batang Lupar Member of Parliament (MP) Shafizan Mohd Kepli, Betong MP Richard Rapu, Beting Maro assemblyman Razaili Gapor, Saribas assemblyman Mohd Razi Sitam, Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor and Betong Resident Richard Michael Abunawas.
