KUCHING: The Sarawak government is urged to assist pig farmers whose business has been affected by the recent swine flu.
Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) president Datuk Richard Wee said the issue has badly affected the industry.
“It has resulted in the lack of supply to the market, steep rise in the price of the commodity, and heavy losses to the farmers.
“For the sector to recover from the epidemic, the farmers are in dire need of assistance from our government,” he said during the SFCA of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions’ Chinese New Year Dinner 2023 at Imperial Hotel here on Monday (Feb 6).
He suggested that the state government should engage with the affected farmers for a long-term solution whereby the farmers can lease the land from the government in the allocated areas, as the Ministry of Agriculture currently already has an allocated area in Simunjan with centralised and modern comprehensive facilities together with an abattoir for pig farming.
“We also hope the government can provide urgent financial assistance to the farmers for them to revive the industry,” he said.
On land matters, Wee hoped the proposed establishment of the agricultural parks similar to the concept of industrial parks throughout Sarawak will be implemented soon.
“This is to enable interested farmers and companies to participate in the project. We also urge interested parties who wish to apply, to liaise with the relevant ministry to understand the process and conditions as such schemes will provide legal status and long-term solutions on land use in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Besides that, on another recommendation with regard to the setting up of the State Sovereign Fund, Wee said the fund managed prudently by respected and experienced professionals will benefit to Sarawakians.
“It is our hope that such benefits will trickle down to all Sarawakians, including the man on the street, will feel the economic benefits,” he said.
On the revision of the quit rent, Wee said the federation proposes a dialogue for the relevant authorities to brief on the revision to the stakeholders.
“This is to allow stakeholders to have a better understanding and clarity to avoid any confusion and doubt about the policy and scheme.
“On this, our SFCA would gladly volunteer to assist the government in facilitating the dialogue,” he said.
On the recent announcement of the setting up of a retirement fund and the provision of gated housing for the Sarawak civil servants, he hoped these measures will encourage more Sarawakians to join the civil service.
“On that note, we encourage and urge more Chinese to answer the call to join the civil service, and at the same time we will be able to achieve a more balanced racial composition in the civil service which will reflect the demography of the population in Sarawak,” he said.
