RM5,000 venture brings in RM1 million yearly
Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 Text Size: Jonathan (third left) receives the Penternak Ikan Jaya award from Anwar witnessed by Jeffrey, Hajiji, Mat Sabu and Arthur. Kota Kinabalu: With just RM5,000 young Sabah entrepreneur and athlete Jonathan Wong built a thriving aquaculture business within just nine years and whose yearly revenue now exceeds RM1 million. For this, he was presented with a 'Penternak Ikan Jaya' award by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the closing of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) 2025 at Sabah International Convention Centre, Sunday. He received a trophy and RM20,000 cash from Anwar, witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup and Deputy Chief Minister cum State Agriculture and Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G.Kitingan. Jonathan thanked his team for their dedication and hard work, and to his family for their unwavering support. Jonathan is the elder son of prominent Sabah entrepreneur and Chinese community leader Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen and Datuk Wong Ten An. Besides being executive director of developers WSG Group, he founded and expanded his own aquaculture business in Tuaran. The company's core operations include the farming of white shrimp, milkfish, hydroponics, eggs farming and related processed products. He said his company aims to adopt more IoT-based systems to increase both production output and quality through smart farming technologies. 'We will implement more modern technologies and methods to improve the survival rates and the quality of aquaculture products,' he said. The 'Penternak Ikan Jaya' is one of Malaysia's prestigious agriculture awards. Recipients are recognised for their innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and positive contributions to the community. The award not only honours personal or corporate achievements but also aim to inspire more people to venture into agriculture to promote technological advancement and stimulate economic growth within communities. Among Jonathan's innovations is cultured duckweed as a key ingredient in fish feed, a breakthrough that earned him the Most Outstanding Commercial Collaboration Award in Eskpo Kecemerlangan Reka Cipta (Excocipta) 2024. Jonathan represented Malaysia in international long jump competitions. He has won numerous major awards, including two gold medals at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix and making it into the Paralympic finals twice, bringing glory to the nation. As president of the Sabah Para Swimming Association, it won 17 gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals at the XXI Sukma Para Games in Sarawak last year. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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