Sabahan wins national award for million-ringgit aquaculture success

Borneo Post

3 days ago

Jonathan (second left) receives the Penternak Ikan Jaya award from Anwar (third right), witnessed by (from left), Jeffrey, Hajiji, Mat Sabu and Arthur.
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 3): From a humble start-up capital of just RM5,000, Sabah's prominent young entrepreneur and athlete Jonathan Wong has built a thriving aquaculture business with annual revenue surpassing RM1 million in just nine years.
In recognition of his achievements, Jonathan was conferred the 'Penternak Ikan Jaya' award by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the award presentation and closing ceremony of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) 2025 held at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Sunday.
He received a trophy and RM20,000 cash prize from Anwar, in the presence of the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji 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 Agriculture and Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
'I would like to thank my company and team for their dedication and hard work, and to my family for their unwavering support.
'It is because of all of you that I am fortunate to receive this national Penternak Ikan Jaya award and recognition today,' said Wong during an interview after receiving the award.
Jonathan is the elder son of Sabahan entrepreneur and Chinese community leader Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen and Datuk Wong Ten An. In addition to serving as the executive director of WSG Group, he has also founded and expanded his own aquaculture business in Tuaran.
Jonathan said he established his company in 2016 with only RM5,000 in capital. After nine years of hard work, research and development, the company now earns over RM1 million in annual revenue.
The company's core operations include the farming of white shrimp, milkfish, hydroponics, eggs farming and related processed products.
Moving forward, Jonathan 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.
Jonathan is known for his boldness in innovation, having 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 is not only a successful young entrepreneur with a sharp business acumen but also a world-class athlete, having 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.
Wong is also dedicated to nurturing future athletes. He currently serves as the president of the Sabah Para Swimming Association, which under his leadership, achieved an impressive 17 gold, seven silver and three bronze medals at the XXI Sukma Para Games in Sarawak last year.
The 'Penternak Ikan Jaya' award is one of Malaysia's prestigious agriculture sector honors that aims to honour individuals or businesses with outstanding achievements in aquaculture, especially fish farming.
Recipients are recognized for their innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and positive contributions to the community.
These awards do not only honour personal or corporate achievements but also aim to inspire more people to venture into agriculture in effort to promote technological advancement and the stimulate economic growth within communities.