KUCHING: The Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI) wants more allocations to be given to develop the heartland of the community to become a food basket for the country.
Its president Datuk Mutang Tagal said Belaga, Baram, Ulu Limbang, Lawas Highland as well as other rural areas in Sarawak are potential food hubs for the country, thus, more research and studies need to be done to identify suitable cash crops.
Developing the land will uplift the income and living standard of the rural communities and at the same time, will also generate revenue to the country.
“These major food hubs will also require good connectivity such as road access, bridges as well as reliable electricity supply, high speed internet connectivity. This will allow the rural communities to market their products online, locally and globally,” he said ahead of the tabling of Budget 2023 this Friday.
Speaking to New Sarawak Tribune on Tuesday, Mutang said these food hubs can also become tourism centres, thus, it is necessary to connect the heartland of Orang Ulu with the major cities in Sarawak.
“So, OUCCI hopes the federal government will provide allocation to transform the Meligan and Kelabit Highlands akin to Cameron Highlands in Pahang and Kundasang in Sabah where the rural farmers, tourism players and other entrepreneurs generate hundreds of millions of revenue annually to the country’s coffers,” he said.
He added that the federal government should provide more allocations to ensure the rural heartland will have good road access and be connected with the current Pan Borneo Highway as well as other major towns and cities.
Apart from that, Budget 2023 should look into providing training and financial grants for qualified entrepreneurs, especially those in the rural areas, to help them to set up or expand their businesses.
As for women entrepreneurs, Mutang said, soft loans should be easily available for those in the rural areas, particularly those who are involved in cottage industries like mat and basket weaving, bead making, clay and pottery as well as homestay operators.
“The government must not raise any taxes or rates as this will further burden the poor… the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) must create social safety nets for the B40 households by increasing their household income besides implementing price control on food items,” he said.
Mutang said Budget 2023 is a post Covid-19 budget after several lockdowns for the past three years, thus, it is going to be a challenging task for the prime minister.
However, OUCCI is hopeful with Anwar’s experience and knowledge, the national budget will be expansionary yet prudent and inclusive.
“We expect it will be a budget for all, not forgetting the needs of businesses, low income earners as well as the rural and urban communities,” he added.
