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The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Perak to expand onion cultivation to more districts
GOPENG: Perak will expand the cultivation of the BAW-1 red onion variety, also known as Bawang Perak, to several districts identified as suitable for the crop. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the districts include Kuala Kangsar, Muallim and Perak Tengah, in addition to Kampung Ladang Bikam in Sungkai, Batang Padang, which began planting the variety last year. 'We will open new areas that meet the criteria for onion cultivation, as it must be grown on fertile soil to produce high-quality yields. Bawang Perak is known for its sweet and flavourful taste, which adds to its market appeal. 'So far, four districts have been identified as suitable, and we will expand to several more,' he told reporters after launching the FAMA Fest 2025 @ Perak at the Rural Transformation Centre here today. Also present were Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun. Saarani said a total of 12.4 metric tonnes of Bawang Perak was produced last year from a nine-hectare cultivation area. Earlier, in his speech, Arthur mentioned that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has allocated an additional RM1.4 million this year to expand the cultivation of the variety. He said the commercial-scale production of Bawang Perak - the first of its kind in the country - was a significant milestone made possible through collaboration between the Perak Agriculture Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Health, fitness key criteria in appointment of new village chiefs in Perak
IPOH: Health and physical fitness will be key considerations in the appointment of new village chiefs across Perak, beginning June 1. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said candidates for leadership roles within the Village Development and Security Committees (JPKK) must be capable of effectively serving their communities over the next two years. He said a comprehensive evaluation process is currently being conducted by State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun and his team, to assess the performance of all current JPKK chairmen. "Today is May 20, and I want to make it clear that the terms of all 829 village chiefs will end simultaneously on May 31. "A new cycle of appointments begins on June 1, and this time, we are applying stricter selection criteria. "One of the key components of the evaluation is a performance scoring system, in which each candidate must meet a minimum benchmark to qualify for reappointment. "Age, health, and physical fitness will also be considered informally, although no official medical examination is required," he said. Saarani was speaking at the Perak 2024 Prosperous Village Award and Sejati Madani Award ceremony at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan, here, today. Addressing the leadership transition, Saarani called on outgoing village chiefs to act with integrity, particularly concerning land use and financial management. "If, during your term, you generously offered your land for government use, such as for a hall or community facility, please do not withdraw that offer simply because you are no longer in office. "We have encountered cases where former chiefs demanded the removal of buildings from land they had previously offered. Think of the long-term benefits, and the blessings that come from serving your community," he said. Saarani also issued a stern reminder regarding the proper handling of JPKK funds. "Some chiefs have kept committee funds in personal accounts. That money does not belong to you, it belongs to the JPKK. It must be properly handed over to your successor. "Even if you are not reappointed, do not be discouraged. Continue to serve your community by sharing ideas and guiding your successor. This is not about positions, it is about building our state together," he added. For the Perak 2024 Prosperous Village Award, Kampung Telaga Nenas (Manjung) was named the winner, taking home RM10,000, while Kampung Sungai Protan (Kerian) and Kampung Ulu Kuang (Kinta) secured second and third place, winning RM8,000 and RM6,000 respectively. In the Sejati Madani Award category, Kampung Jaya Setia (Kuala Kangsar) took top honours with a prize of RM100,000, while Kampung Sempeneh (Larut Matang Selama) and Kampung Telaga Nenas (Manjung) claimed second and third place, receiving RM70,000 and RM50,000 respectively.
