Latest news with #CommoditiesandRegionalDevelopment
Borneo Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
State leaders extend Gawai Dayak invitation to Sarawak Governor
Wan Junaidi and Fauziah pose with the main organising committee for the 2025 State-Level Gawai Dayak Celebration during the courtesy visit. – Photo from Astana Negeri Sarawak photo KUCHING (May 29): The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, received a courtesy visit today from the Main Organising Committee for the 2025 State-Level Gawai Dayak Celebration. The delegation, led by Deputy Premier and chairman of the 2025 State-Level Gawai Dayak Celebration Committee, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, arrived at Astana Negeri at 9.30am. Uggah was accompanied by his wife, Dato Doreen Mayang. The visit aimed to extend an official invitation to Wan Junaidi and Fauziah to attend the Gawai Dayak 2025 Open House celebration on June 1 and the 2025 State-Level Gawai Dayak Dinner on June 2. Both events will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). Accompanying Uggah were State Minister for Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Deputy State Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Dato Majang Renggi; and Minister in the Premier's Department of Sarawak Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai. Others in attendance included Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala; Deputy State Minister for Public Health and Housing Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; Deputy State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Deputy State Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang; and Deputy State Minister for Transport Dato Henry Harry Jinep. Also joining the visit was Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau. Wan Junaidi expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Main Organising Committee for their efforts in organising the 2025 State-Level Gawai Dayak celebration, describing it as an important festive event and a meaningful platform to foster unity among the multi-ethnic community, while also uplifting the culture and heritage of the Dayak people in Sarawak. He expressed hope that the upcoming events would run smoothly and bring benefit to the people, particularly in strengthening the spirit of goodwill and togetherness that form the foundation of harmony in the state. 2025 State-Level Gawai Dayak Celebration Wan Junaidi
The Star
22-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Sarawak acts against alien fish
Invasive foreign fish species such as suckermouth catfish and African catfish have been identified as major threats to Sarawak's native fish ecosystem. State Deputy Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said their presence threatened local species such as empurau and tengadak (lampam sungai). Foreign fish species also disrupted the environmental balance and impacted livelihoods of local communities who rely on inland fishery resources, he said. 'Some of these alien fishes are farmed commercially. 'I hope farmers will not arbitrarily release these fishes into our rivers or lakes,' he said in his reply to a question from Datuk Mohd Chee Kadir (GPS-Kabong) during the Sarawak State Assembly sitting in Petra Jaya, Kuching. Bernama reported Dr Abdul Rahman saying that the ministry, in collaboration with various agencies, had implemented a programme to hunt invasive foreign fish species in Sungai Sarawak. This effort, he said, was aimed at reducing their threat, raising public awareness and conducting an inventory of inland fishery resources. To a supplementary question from Mohd Chee, Dr Abdul Rahman said various initiatives were also being undertaken to replenish local fish stock. 'Sarawak Agriculture Department, under my ministry, is actively carrying out a programme to release native fish fry such as empurau, tengadak, lampam jawa as well as udang galah into rivers across Sarawak. 'This is part of efforts to restore the ecosystem and improve native fish populations. 'In Kabong alone, in September 2022, a total of 5,000 lampam fry were released into Tanjung Kembang, while in November 2024, 6,000 lampam fry were released at Rumah Jambu Rantau Sukat Orban,' he said. Apart from inland waters, efforts are also being intensified to strengthen marine fisheries resources, with a total of 201,972 artificial reef units anchored across 77 marine areas in Sarawak as of last year. 'In Kabong waters alone, 17 artificial reef units were anchored in July 2024 and another 17 units are scheduled to be deployed this August. 'This project is supported by an allocation of RM20mil from the Federal Government and RM30mil from Sarawak government,' Dr Abdul Rahman added.
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Nearly 2,000 participate in Gawai Dayak Niti Daun 2025 parade in Batu Niah
Dr Rundi (seventh left) flanked by Rosey (sixth left) and Lukanisman (eight left) in a photocall with the community leaders before the parade. MIRI (May 18): Nearly 2,000 participants from various government agencies, community leaders, and local residents took part in the Gawai Dayak Niti Daun 2025 parade in Batu Niah this morning. The parade, held for the first time in the Subis district, highlighted Dayak cultural elements, particularly those of the Iban community. The two-kilometre procession served as a symbol of unity, reflecting the 'Segulai Sejalai' spirit among the multiracial communities of the Subis District. Persatuan Ketua Kaum Suai Kemena zone was awarded for having the largest and most vibrant contingent, with a total of 315 participants. Earlier, during the launch of the Gawai Dayak Niti Daun parade, Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom urged those celebrating this year's Gawai festival to do so in a modest manner. 'As a multi-racial state, we celebrate many festivals. We have just celebrated Hari Raya, and now it is time to celebrate Gawai. For those who are celebrating Gawai, I urge all of you to be modest in spending,' he said. At the same time, Dr Rundi reminded parents to keep a close watch on their children's movements and activities to prevent them from getting involved in drug-related activities. 'I hope parents remain vigilant about their children's activities so they do not fall into drug-related habits, which can destroy not only their future but also their families,' he said. Meanwhile, the organising chairperson and Subis district officer Norlila Ulis said the parade was intended to strengthen community spirit through the appreciation of indigenous and social culture while nurturing pride in traditional customs, heritage, and identity. She added that the event also aimed to promote Niah as a cultural and heritage-based tourism destination. Among those who took part in the parade were Sarawak Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, and federal Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. Batu Niah Dr Stephen Rundi Utom Gawai Dayak Niti Daun 2025 parade lead
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak committed to becoming net food exporter by 2030
SIBU: Sarawak is committed to transforming the agricultural sector towards a more modern and competitive direction in efforts to achieve the status of a net food exporter by 2030. Its deputy minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said last year the state recorded a food trade deficit of RM6.44 billion, with import values reaching RM7.62 billion compared to exports of only RM1.18 billion. 'This clearly shows that Sarawak is highly dependent on imported food. Therefore, it is time for us to rise as the main food producers of the nation,' he said while officiating the National Farmers' Conference 2025 here today. He was representing Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom at the event organised by the Sibu Vegetable Planters Association. According to Dr Abdul Rahman, various challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and rising logistics costs are putting significant pressure on the global and regional food systems. To address these challenges, he said the Sarawak government has outlined several key initiatives including the development of agro and aquaculture parks; the Sarawak Agrotechnology Park (SARTECH) and Precision Farming Park; the construction of Collection, Processing and Packaging Centres (CPPC) and agrofood terminals; improvements to irrigation and drainage infrastructure for commercial rice planting projects; the development of a local seed industry; and the implementation of stricter biosecurity controls. He urged greater involvement of more young people and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector, especially with the use of modern technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT), mechanisation and automation. 'Agriculture is no longer a 3D job (dirty, dangerous and difficult). It is now a professional career with the potential to generate substantial income,' he said while urging for strengthened strategic collaboration between the government and private sector to accelerate the process of agricultural transformation in Sarawak. Earlier, he expressed his appreciation to the Sibu Vegetable Planters Association for organising the conference, which was the first of its kind held in Sarawak, successfully attracting over 700 participants from the rest of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. 'This conference serves as an important platform for experts and agricultural entrepreneurs to share knowledge and formulate strategies towards more sustainable and competitive agriculture,' he added.
