SIBU: The Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee called for the creation of a light industrial park to accommodate cottage industry operators in this area.
The Nangka assemblyman brought this up while pointing out that many small business operators, particularly in his constituency, operate their businesses on the roadside without a halal certificate.
“Every business owner operating in a town area needs to have a premises; this cannot be done from home. The premises must also receive approval from the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and Health Department before a halal certificate can be issued.
“Without a halal certificate, your products cannot enter the supermarket; hence, you can only sell them on the roadside. So, this must be done,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Program Pemerkasaan Komuniti Berilmu Bersama ADUN Nangka here today (Jan 29).
Dr Annuar pointed out that he has proposed to the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) the idea of constructing a light industrial park to house cottage industry operators and hopes that they will take it into consideration.
“It doesn’t have to be big. We can erect a building with a back part for production and a front part for selling products like mee and kek lapis, which don’t require a lot of space.
“I’m hoping to get some land. The problem in Sibu is that if we build it in a location too far from the town, people won’t go there. Currently, I have one piece of land in mind, but I’m not going to reveal it yet,” he said.
Dr Annuar also urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera and Persatuan Peniaga Kecil to help them gather information on entrepreneurs, as it is very important.
“It is very crucial. For example, one project is currently on hold since it is unclear how many hawkers will be renting space there. So, last time, we must conduct the survey and provide the data,” he stressed.
