Malaysia looks to Thailand, Japan for year-round fruit production
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu highlighted ongoing efforts by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) to develop new seed varieties.
'We are carrying out R\&D, especially by DOA and MARDI, to produce new seeds and so on. The MARDI durian, for example, was produced recently in Kuala Kangsar. Delicious. High quality,' he said during the launch of the National Campaign to Eat More Local Fruits and Vegetables.
The event also marked the closing of FAMA Fest 2025 in Selangor.
Mohamad stressed the government's commitment to promoting local fruits, including a mandate for official functions to serve only Malaysian-grown produce.
'During my visit to Thailand as the Minister of Defence, I was served food based on local fruits and vegetables throughout my time there. The same goes for Japan, almost 100 per cent local,' he added.
Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli reported strong results from FAMA Fest, with sales exceeding RM800,000 from 50 entrepreneurs and over 40,000 visitors.
Since 2017, the event has driven economic growth for agri-entrepreneurs, with 2024 figures reaching RM8.8 million nationwide. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Coherent opens new research facility
PETALING JAYA: Coherent Corp, a global leader in photonics, opened its new Datacom Research and Development Centre in Gelugor, Penang, yesterday, underscoring the company's strategic commitment to serving its rapidly growing global markets. Situated at Menara IJM Land, the Penang R&D Centre joins the company's expanding network in Malaysia, complementing its larger manufacturing sites in Ipoh, Perak and Perai, Penang, further maximising transceiver supply from Malaysian factories. Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) CEO Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), introduced in 2024, lays out Malaysia's plan to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor supply chain. 'One of the NSS's core priorities is supporting high-value R&D and advanced technologies exactly the kind of work Coherent is doing here in Penang. 'The strategy also aims to deepen Malaysia's local capabilities in areas like chip packaging, photonics, and silicon technologies, creating the kind of ecosystem that benefits global innovators.' Sikh Shamsul said as Coherent develops next-generation optical transceiver technologies at this new facility, it stands to gain from the strong pipeline of talent being built through the NSS. 'Mida is committed to supporting Coherent's journey not only in the past and present, but well into the future.' Coherent vice-president and managing director Jimmy Ling said: 'Coherent Malaysia takes pride in how strategically we are positioned to support the company's overall growth. 'Our successful establishment over nearly 25 years has played a critical role in strengthening our global value chain through ongoing expansion plans, and we are confident that our footprint in Penang will spearhead innovation in advanced photonics technology.' Meanwhile, vice-president of engineering, Asia R&D Jimmy Wu said: 'Penang is an ideal location, thanks to its well-established high-tech industry and a strong pool of technical talent capable of supporting our R&D growth plans.' The new centre comes equipped with impressive capabilities that put it at the forefront of optical technology, that is, next-generation silicon photonics solutions for optical transceivers; advanced development facilities for 400G, 800G, and 1.6T optical transceiver modules and specialised testing environments for AI and cloud computing applications This expansion strengthens Coherent's ability to serve its global markets while creating valuable connections between its manufacturing sites in Ipoh and Perai and its R&D operations in Shanghai.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
High Court upholds RM780,000 awarded to sacked exec
The High Court in George Town, Penang, upheld an earlier decision by the Industrial Court. GEORGE TOWN : The High Court here has upheld an Industrial Court's decision awarding nearly RM800,000 in back wages and compensation to a senior employee of a semiconductor firm who was wrongfully dismissed in 2018. The High Court's decision will see Kon Siang Boon, a former global account manager at Molex (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, retaining the RM789,333.58 awarded to him by the Industrial Court last year. The High Court also ordered the company to pay RM7,500 in costs. Justice Anand Ponnudurai, in his ruling today, said there was no error of law in the Industrial Court's findings, and that the court had rightfully preferred Kon's version of events over the company's, based on the credibility of witnesses. Kon, who had been attached with the company for nearly 30 years, was accused of making fraudulent claims while on a business trip, which Molex claimed breached company policy, and was subsequently sacked in 2018 after a domestic inquiry. The Industrial Court, however, found the dismissal unjustified and procedurally flawed. At the time of his dismissal, he was earning over RM21,000 a month, with bonuses and allowances. According to the facts of the case, from 2016 to November 2017, Kon submitted meal and transport claims under the prevailing company travel policy, which were all approved by his superiors. Molex revised this policy on Nov 1, 2017, to bar meal claims. However, the Industrial Court found that this revised policy had not been clearly communicated to Kon. The court accepted Kon's testimony that he only became aware of the new rules in December 2017 and had stopped making such claims after that. In delivering his ruling, Anand said the Industrial Court's decision was reasonable and backed by detailed analysis.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Ramssol forges landmark AI, cloud computing collaboration with Tencent, Equinix
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is set to accelerate its digital transformation by tapping Chinese expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, following a landmark collaboration spearheaded by Ramssol Group Bhd with Tencent Cloud and supported by Equinix. The Malaysia-China Tech & Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference 2025, held in Sheraton Petaling Jaya today, underscored the nation's ambitions to become a regional hub for next-generation technologies while deepening bilateral ties with China. The initiative will introduce Tencent Cloud's advanced AI and cloud solutions to the Malaysian market through Ramssol's subsidiary, Rams Solutions, targeting retail and service industries seeking to automate operations, enhance customer engagement and adopt data-driven strategies for greater competitiveness across Asean markets. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, who officiated the event, said Malaysia's leadership as Asean Chair in 2025 positioned it uniquely to drive regional innovation and stability. She highlighted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's role in brokering peace between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute as an example of Malaysia's diplomatic and technological leadership. 'Technologies such as AI, smart communication, and cloud computing are redefining how economies grow, connect and innovate,' Teo said. 'Malaysia is proud to play a pivotal role in this journey. With our strategic position in Southeast Asia, a growing digital economy, and a future-ready talent pool, we remain committed to driving innovation that benefits all.' She stressed the need for alliances 'anchored on trust, mutual respect and shared ambitions' to build an open, secure and future-focused digital ecosystem that supports investment and long-term growth. Teo also outlined ongoing initiatives under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, including technical standards by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to ensure communications equipment and services meet safety, interoperability and reliability benchmarks. Malaysia's broader digital push includes the Online Safety Act 2025, which mandates platforms to curb harmful content such as scams, cyberbullying and child exploitation, while maintaining innovation and free expression. She cited campaigns like Kempen Internet Selamat reaching over 43,000 participants in 348 schools and cashless adoption drives at Nadi Centres benefiting 1.8 million users as examples of initiatives fostering safer and more inclusive digital participation. Broadband penetration currently stands at 130.8% for mobile and 48.4% for fixed lines. Ramssol Group chairman Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said the collaboration reflects the group's long-term strategy to position Malaysia as a bridge for cross-border technology exchange and innovation in Asean. 'These collaborative events are more than just knowledge-sharing platforms; they are strategic gateways to future growth,' he said. 'By aligning Malaysia's digital ambitions with China's tech expertise, we are paving the way for sustained innovation, enhanced bilateral trade and scalable transformation across Asean.' The conference also showcased Tencent Cloud's real-time communication platforms, unmanned retail solutions, automated parking systems and intelligent media processing tools, technologies that have transformed consumer experiences in China and are now being introduced to Malaysian enterprises. Equinix's participation ensures scalable, secure digital infrastructure for cross-border solutions, with analysts noting robust infrastructure as vital for seamless technology integration. Teo described the initiative as a model for international cooperation where the Malaysia–China relationship continues to stand as a model where innovation drives value and collaboration leads to mutual prosperity. 'Let us move forward with confidence and a shared commitment to shaping a better, smarter future for Asia through innovation and cooperation,' she said.
