KUCHING: Medan Niaga Satok is the role model for markets in the country because it provides comfortable space and good facilities for traders to sell products, said Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Salahuddin Ayub.
Speaking at the breaking of fast programme at Sarawak Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) building in Medan Niaga Satok here on Monday, the minister added that Medan Niaga Satok had the best infrastructure among all markets in the nation.
“I was in Johor Bahru yesterday and visited Pasar Karat in the town.
“The market stalls for traders were small. They were about 10 ft wide and 8 ft high and cost about RM100 per month,” said Salahuddin.
He pointed out that a market with good infrastructure and clean environment could attract tourists to the country.
Salahuddin also shared that since Malaysia was way behind other neighbouring countries in food security, the federal government was willing to help farmers produce quality crops and hopefully, change public perception on poverty in the farming industry.
“We will help farmers to revolutionise their knowledge to produce better yields,” he said.
Government agencies and corporations, he added, should assist in knowledge transfer to help farmers out of poverty, he added.
“The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government will help farmers to expand their knowledge for greater productivity,” he said, citing the use of high-quality fertilisers and pesticides for better yields as examples.
“It is our ultimate goal to help farmers improve and enhance their quality of life, thus eradicating poverty in our society,” added Salahuddin.
He assured that the PH government would work together and support the Sarawak government despite different ideologies.
“It is our responsibility as the federal government to be on the same page with the Sarawak government to cater to the people’s interests,” he said.
Pointing out the impact of corruption, Salahuddin urged civil servants to uphold integrity and transparency.
“Serving the nation is not a one man’s show but collective in carrying duties and responsibility with integrity.
“Therefore, we must stand against corruption which has caused massive landslides in our society by practising good governance,” he stressed.
