DEBAK: The government is ready to assess appropriate assistance as an effort to support cooperative initiatives to develop abandoned land in Saribas.
Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam expressed his happiness with the desire of several local cooperatives who intend to expand the use of land for agriculture.
According to him, the cooperative’s planning coincides with the government’s efforts to develop the Saribas Agricultural Park in Lubuk Tamang, which is located around the same area.
“I am happy with the initiative of Koperasi Lubuk Tamang Berhad and Koperasi Panjap Berhad to develop abandoned land.
“In that regard, the government is ready to assess what is appropriate to help the people’s development programme, especially in the field of agriculture.”
The Saribas assemblyman said this while officiating the Agricultural Land Development Seminar: Administration and Development of Lubuk Tamang Heritage Land at the Debak Malay Welfare Trust Board Hall, today.
He suggested that cooperative members work hard to initiate early action before getting government assistance.
“The government will more easily distribute aid if the people have started efforts first.
“I believe that the cooperative’s efforts will also become a catalyst for the production of agricultural products in the Saribas area and will certainly provide employment opportunities that benefit the people and local farmers.”
Razi suggested that immediate action should be taken especially in the formation of working committees and plan papers.
The construction of a 9.5km road connecting Suri Debak to Kampung Tuie by the Sarawak government will further facilitate the implementation of the project.
As a result of the discussion at the seminar, it was suggested that the newly completed road be named Lubuk Tamang Road.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Lubuk Tamang Berhad Cooperative, Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh stated that the seminar unanimously agreed that Lubuk Tamang Berhad Cooperative and Panjap Cooperative Berhad should find the best solution to speed up the planned project.
He said, the working committee that was established will discuss with strategic partners to get expert advice and infrastructure construction.
“The customary land of about 900 acres will be planted with selected crops that have been evaluated and are well received in the market…the main choice is rice.”
The seminar organised by Koperasi Lubuk Tamang Berhad and Koperasi Panjap Berhad was attended by 70 participants.
Three papers were presented by speakers, including Abang Zulkifli himself as the head of the Sarawak Justice Agricultural Bureau on Aspirations and Approaches to the Development of Lubuk Tamang Heritage Land.
The successful farmer from Sadong Jaya, Morsihidi Ramli delivered a talk titled “Agriculture is Business”.
Meanwhile, successful entrepreneur Ir Mohd Eden Ali from Saribas presented a paper titled “Nanjakan Pemikiran Alaf Baru”.
